Results 1 to 4 of 4
  1. #1

    Unhappy Juvenile's Choice To Live With A Different Family

    I'm a sixteen year old girl in Florida and on Feb 28, 2007 I was taken away from my parents and put into a group home. I was living with my eight year old sister at my grandma's house but it was found that I was not safe living there considering that my grandmother's son (my uncle) molested me so I was taken away. My parents were living out in a trailer with no electricity or running water or the certificate of occupancy with my little sister until the middle of February when my mom found out I told my guidance couselor about all the drug dealing/abusing and abuse going on in the house. 15 days after I moved into the group home with 17 other kids (ages 12-17) my german teacher took me in. She's given me the life i've never had and I love her as if she was my real mom. Her husband and two little boys are great as well. I actually have a job now and since she's my teacher I have no problem getting to school. I have great grades in school and I don't do anything wrong. My new family won't have me forever though. My parents are going through all the meetings and stuff to get my little sister and me back. They've missed the past 3 visitations due to various excuses so my case worker said they're not doing their job. My new family said that if they will let me stay there until I graduate (I have one more year of high school left) and move on to college, I can.

    My problem is, do I have a choice? There are so many feelings and stuff between my parents and I, there's no way I could go back. There's stuff my own father has said to me that tears me apart inside, and its hard to even go to visitations and see him. This new family has given me a life I have never had before, and I don't want to lose it by getting thrown back into my parent's arms.

    When my parents get all their meetings and rehab stuff done, do I have a choice to stay with my new family? I'll be 17 on July 10th of this year.

    Thanks for helping

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Question about choosing:

    I would suggest speaking to your case worker about whether you might qualify for emancipation. (More information about Florida Emancipation Law.) Normally your parents would have to petition for emancipation, but as you appear to be under the jurisdiction of a juvenile court you may be able to avoid that requirement. You would probably need the cooperation of the family you are living with, to commit to supporting you until you turn 18, as it seems unlikely that you are self-sufficient.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    5,437

    Default Re: Question about choosing:

    You sound like you are making all the right choices so far.

    Have you asked your social worker your questions?

  4. #4

    Default Re: Juvenile's Choice To Live With A Different Family

    I've asked my case worker and he said the goal for this is reunification. And he said that's what we're working towards. I told him the reason I told my guidance counselor was because I knew as soon as I told her I'd be taken away and that's what I wanted, but not for just a few months. I want a better life.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Emancipation: Can I Get Emancipated at 16 and Go Live with a Family Friend in Mo
    By vampirebaby95 in forum Juvenile Law
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-29-2010, 09:42 AM
  2. Can Minors Live with an Adult Outside of the Family
    By funnybunny in forum Juvenile Law
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-27-2010, 06:25 PM
  3. Probation and Parole: Right to Live As Family
    By Freebird Now in forum Probation, Parole and Incarceration
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-22-2009, 10:31 AM
  4. Child's Choice of Which Parent to Live With
    By shaqbaker in forum Child Custody, Support and Visitation
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-22-2008, 08:09 PM
  5. Emancipation: Minor doesn't want to live with her family
    By rebeccaskurka in forum Juvenile Law
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 04-06-2006, 05:34 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources