New here. Need some advice.
My step-daughter lives with her mom practically across the US from us. My question is that, she (the bio-mom) currently has an open case with Child Protective Services due to neglect. Bio-mom has told us that she now has to get permission for my step-daughter to leave the county (she was supposed to be out here with us for 6 weeks this summer). We asked for permission from the case worker and it was denied. The gist we got was that according to bio-mom, my husband has not been in my step-daughter's life since birth. This is not altogether true. When step-daughter was 2 bio-mom up and moved half-way across the US with her. Up until this past year, she has been very hard to remain in contact with. She has probably changed her phone number over a dozen times and moved at least as many, it usually takes us MONTHS when this happens to figure out new number and address for them. I think the only reason we have consistent contact with her now is because she is collecting TANF benefits and other welfare type stuff, and needs my husbands information to keep getting more assistance (plus, TANF made her come after my husband for child support so she asks us every other day it seems when her check is coming). Anyways, I'm wondering if there is anything that we can possibly do so that we can get our visitation this summer. This would have been the first time since she's moved that she'd be in the state with us and we were really looking forward to it.
I would appreciate your suggestions!
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It sounds like you're going
It sounds like you're going to have to get an attorney...and one from her state.
Regardless if he hasn't seen her, he is still her father and has rights. The fact that she has this neglect charge will not look good for her, plus she left the state with a minor child without the fathers consent..it looks like it will go in your favor.
Have you asked the caseworker if there's anything you can do on your end to get permission? Maybe if your DH takes parenting classes and gets set up with a caseworker in your area that can check out your home to make sure it's acceptable? No harm in asking!
I've asked those questions
I've asked those questions and either the case worker is just a b*tch because she said "NO" or she just doesn't want to have to do the work. Rumor has it that she will be on maternity leave soon.
I forgot to add a detail, sorry. About 10 years ago when my DH was just barely 18 he got into an argument with his then girlfriend (not the bio-mom). He locked her out of their apartment because she was going a little crazy. She ended up calling the cops and they arrested HIM and charged him with domestic violence. The actual charge was something like "DV-restricting access to home in inclimate weather" It was December. Anyways, bio-mom told case worker that my DH has numerous domestic violence charges and that numerous women have restraining orders against him. None of this is true, however it seems like they believe her? Long story short, the case worker says that because there is a "history" of domestic violence they won't let her go because they can't guarantee her safety. Nevermind the fact that the bio-mom fled our state because she has felony warrants out for her arrest.
I'm not sure if his "criminal" history will have any sway in this? He also got a DUI when he was 21, but that's about it for "criminal" behavior besides the random parking/speeding ticket.