Teenager Stuck in a Unsatisfactory Enviroment

[ShanenX]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Iowa

To start off, I am 18, and my long-term girlfriend is 16; nearing 17. She is a mature girl due to her life story I would like to believe. Obviously I cannot prove this, so you will have to take my word for it.

She grew up physically abused by her mother until she was caught in the act when she was about 12 or 13 years old. DHS got involved and took all the of children out of the house. Only 2 of the 4 children share a father, in which she is not one of the two. DHS now has legal custody of my girlfriend. She was then placed with her aunt and uncle, which didn't turn out too bad. She eventually moved out and into her grandmother's house where she lived happily for a short amount of time when her grandmother fell and broke both her arms. She was then forced out of the house into the Aunt's house from before. She was then kicked out because they could not "emotionally handle" her. Now she lives with another aunt and this is where my problem takes place:

It started out okay in her other Aunt's. But over time, the rules have been becoming more tedious and ridiculous. Most people involved in our lives agree that none of this Aunt's rules have any logic behind them at all. I won't get into the rules because they aren't important. It is becoming much more difficult to communicate and see each other. Yesterday, her Aunt went into a rage fit and took away my girlfriend's phone, which is her only way to communicate with myself or her grandmother, which are the only things keeping her from sinking into a deep depression. The reason she would go into a depression is because her Aunt is obviously mentally abusing my girlfriend. She's losing confidence in herself and such. I realize this problem sounds like a typical teenage complaint, but I assure you it is not. I am concerned for her own well being in that house. This leads to my final question:

Is there anything she can do? I realize she can't live with me and my parents, that is fairly obvious. She cannot become emancipated because the state has ownership of her. I am a very logical person so I would prefer that I not get talked down to if at all possible I should also mention that this Aunt is making several things up about my girlfriend to make her look bad to the rest of her family. She continues to get transferred from house to house that repeatedly show her no love or trust. Several friends' families have spoken up and offered to take her in, but DHS isn't look at them twice.

I wasn't sure what topic this would fall into, so I chose Minors' Rights.

I appreciate any legal help and advice you can provide me. Thanks.

[Dogmatique]

I'm very, very glad that you already realize that not only will she not be emancipated but also that she will not be allowed to live with you and your family.

This is, honestly, all in Aunt's hands unless your girlfriend has proof of mental abuse. Bear in mind that mental abuse is incredibly difficult to prove. Having the phone taken away, being not allowed to contact your friends, and being depressed, would not meet that burden.

However it surprises me that there hasn't been a reunification plan put in place for at least one of the legal parents. This suggests that - and before you say it, I'm not talking down to you - perhaps you don't have all of the details.

[ShanenX]

I did not mention that her mom has went through court and lost complete custody of all the kids. She also refuses to do counseling so that is a no-go. I have been urging her to at least get a hold of her father, however, she has not had anything to do with him since she was born. Could her dad come in and take custody of my girlfriend? Also you aren't talking down to me you're giving me the info I need and I appreciate it.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If there is abuse or neglect sufficient to warrant the intervention in the household and the placement of your girlfriend outside of the home, she is free to make a report - as are you. If not, then it's not an issue. It's difficult to see how it would be an issue given that the history you give relates to the mother, and the child has been placed with her aunt.

We have no access to the custody order between the parents and do not know its terms - but we actually seem to be talking about a guardianship order here, which may include terms dictating dad's access and when dad might be able to petition to modify custody. Dad can exercise whatever rights he has under the order and, if he wants to change it, can explore the possibility of petitioning a court to modify custody.

[ShanenX]

Alright. Thank you very much. I know very little about child law so this has helped me greatly. Hopefully the best will happen for her sooner than later.