Would someone please help me with this new situation? I welcome any and all advice. Today, Sunday, my DH and I will be taking in his 16-1/2-month-old great-nephew for an indefinite period of time. DH's niece is a drug addict, supposedly bipolar - and I use that term lightly - an all around horrendous parent. She currently is 29 yrs. old, has 4 kids, oldest is 12 and has lived with niece's mother since she was 5, who recently adopted her. Others are 2-3/4 yrs, 16-1/2 mos and newest is 11 days old. We have always had the two youngest on weekends and whenever, kind of like surrogate grandparents for them. I drew the line at this last one. I don't want the work involved with a newborn anymore. Anyway, 4 kids, 3 fathers, 3 biracial kids, new baby tested positive for marijuana at birth. Just found out 16-month-old did too.
DCFS stepped in on Thursday, 12/27/07, and niece's mother accepted responsibility for all 3 in order to keep them from being sent off to the Chicago area to foster care. This is a good 4 hours from us. The niece, her ex-husband, her current boyfriend and current boyfriend's mother are not allowed to be alone with the kids, nor are they allowed to have the kids at their homes until after a court hearing in 2-4 weeks - no date has been set. This is due to drug history. Police have been watching their house for a while and have determined it is a crack house.
Niece's mom called me for help. I have agreed to take one child. I prefer the 16-month-old since he has some developmental delay due to drugs and neglect. I think we can work with him and see some improvement. She will keep the 2-3/4-year-old and is looking for someone to take the baby.
Do I call DSFS this week and find out what to do legally about this? Do I offer to testify against niece (these kids are horribly neglected)? Do I keep my mouth shut and let it play out? I'm really in a bind here. I want to do what is best for these kids. It is breaking my heart to see them so neglected, but would also kill me if they get sent off somewhere. The two toddlers love their mommy and don't even know other kids don't live like this.
Also, how do I work with a toddler underfoot? I can't afford to put him in day care, as closest would be 25 mile trip and about 100.00 a week I think.
Please respond if you have any experience in this area. Thanks.
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