Pregnant Teenage Daughter Refuses Adoption
My 17yoa step-daughter is pregnant. The arrangements have been made through an adoption agency for the baby to be adopted. However, we have found out that she has plans to keep the baby. She has no job and we will not support the baby financially. She is not mature enough nor financially able to support the baby. The baby's father is not in the picture and waived his rights to the baby.
Her mother lives in another state and is "coaching" her on keeping the baby because she believes it is selfish to give the baby up. She does not have the financial ability to support her daughter and a baby. We have discovered she is planning on visiting after the baby is born, leading us to believe there is an alterior motive of her taking the baby and her daughter back with her. She does not have guardianship nor joint custody of her, so has no legal right to do this unless my step-daughter's father gives permission.
My question is, if she does not sign the adoption papers and decides to keep the baby,
1) do we have to legally support the baby?
2) if step-daughter has baby at 17, is she still considered minor and do we still have to legally support her until she is 18?
3) Can we start emancipation procedures against her and kick her out?
4) If she leaves against our wishes with her mother, is there legal recourse? ie: runaway; kidnap against her mother?
5) If we are responsible for her until 18, what legal issues can we run into if we deny the baby coming into the house.
It should be understood, we are not monster parents. The adoption is in her best interest. She is college bound and has no financial support for a baby. She has no job, transportation, or baby supplies, except for what we would have to supply. We will not pay for this baby. She now wants to go on welfare and live with her mother expecting friends and family to support her.