Placement of a Faster child with a unfit family member

[william holley]

My wife and I have a foster child in our care. She was placed with us directly from the hospital when she was 4 days old. She was removed from her parents because dad is in jail and mom used drugs during the pregnancy. She is now 10 weeks old. The father's mom is now trying to be a resource for the child since she found out there has not been any signs of developmental issues due to the drugs. The grandmother is 66 years old/grand father 81. The grandmother is on medicare disability and has been since the age of 52. They live in a one bedroom apartment with 5 indoor cats. The grandmother is a heavy indoor smoker. Both parents list their primary residents as the grandmothers one bedroom apartment. My concern is that the state will still place this child into those un fit conditions. Does anyone have any advice for me and my wife?

[Karen Jorgenson]

The law states that if there is a birth family member willing to take the child, then that is an option for placement. Case managers are to make recommendations for placement based on the best interests of the child. Let's hope that this is the case with the child in your care.

[Robomom]

William,
I tried to reply to your post last week, but there was a problem with my log in.
The phrase I hear over and over in court and on official papers is " least restrictive placement that is in the best interest of the child."
The news, a few weeks ago, carried a story of grandparents ( one in her 60's, the husband in his 70's) who wanted custody of their young grandson. ( I'm thinking the child was 5 or 6.)
Anyway, there was a furor over this because, although they were bio family, thay did not have a strong support system. Even if they were in great health, the potential for one or both of them not to survive until the child could leave care opened the possibility for another placement and more trauma. The court ruled against them.
Please let us know what happens.

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