Child With Severe Behavior Problems Wants a Change of Custody

[llworking]

Oh my god do you people not read the responses? It's not her grades that starts the abuse! Jesus Christ, even if it was do you think that it's okay for someone to tell a child to kill themselves because of a C????

Of course its not ok. Of course it could be potentially dangerous if a child was depressed and had suicidal ideation. However, its highly unlikely that its enough to get a child removed from a home or for custody to be changed. Its also highly unlikely that the child is telling you the whole, unvarnished truth either.

If you truly think that this child might kill herself then encourage her to talk to her school guidance counselor. They are mandated reporters and will get CPS involved they believe that the child is truly in danger of committing suicide. Otherwise, stay out of it.

[CourtClerk]

Did you hear her say that? Be honest now....

[cdwjava]

Her step father is a monster and has taken away literally everything that isn't a necessity in her life and I'm afraid that if she stays there any longer she'll be in with the wrong crowed soon enough, start rebelling, and getting horrible grades.

Teenagers can be quite dramatic (I know - I have had four of them ... one is 20 and he's still dramatic). Is he a "monster" because he is trying to hold her accountable? Or, does he beat her or commit other criminal acts against her?

The daughter of the step dad is now in and out of rehab, quit school, and has had 3 babies with 3 different men.

That's tragic, but we're not discussing her. We're discussing your sister-in-law who is a minor.

We don't want her going down the wrong path. She wants to live with her dad so bad but during the divorce and custody judgement, the step dad pegged the father as a racist and they proved that he told them what was going on with the divorce. Telling the kids the truth when they asked was apparently the wrong thing to do.

Apparently a court found whatever was presented at the custody hearing compelling enough to give mom custody.

The step dad has told this girl several times that he can make her life hell because he has a lot of money that can pay for the best lawyers known to man.

Okay.

What would happen if she just left her house and didn't turn back? If her mom called the police would they be able to take her back there or would they have to let her go with her father?

If she left the house without permission and mom reported her as a runaway, she'd be entered into a nationwide missing persons database. If found, she could be forcibly removed from where she is an returned home. Additionally, anyone knowingly harboring a runaway child or encouraging or aiding her in her delinquency could be charged with criminal acts. In other words, if she runs to dad, dad can be charged with multiple offenses including the violation of a court order. if that is the case, she will likely lose even visitation.

Her running away is NOT the answer. If she is being abused or criminally neglected, a report should be made to the local CPS or law enforcement agency ASAP. Saying he is a monster because he takes away unnecessary things because she is perceived to be misbehaving is not an act limited to abusers - good parents who hold their kids accountable do the same thing! If step-dad is threatening to "kill" her for a "C" in school, that's inappropriate, but not likely to sway a court to remove care and custody of the child absent some other facts.

Dad can either work with mom on doing what is best for the child, or he can seek to return to court in an effort to compel the court to grant him full custody.