My DH and SD11 went to court today for the emergency petition that BM filed. She made some false claims that SD11 was being abused by DH. They were all hearsay and the judge dismissed them. The judge did talk to SD11 in her chambers for about 20 minutes today. She determined that there was no child abuse. She dismissed the petition because she had no grounds to change custody. She also warned BM if she tried to further damage DH's relationship with BM that she would remove her visitation.

She did not make any changes to custody. But, she did say something to DH that has us thinking. Apparently, SD11 told the judge that she hates living with us and that she feels we favor the other 3 kids in the home. She told the judge she doesn't like our rules and she misses her mom. She also said that she will continue to run away and will try to return to her mom's house.

I don't know what the judge said to SD11, but she told DH that he might consider letting SD11 go back to BM. She told him that she believes that BM has cleaned up her home and can provide a clean, safe place for her to live. She also told him that she has no doubts that we can provide better. However, she said she believes SD11 when she says she will continue to run away. She told DH that he should think about this, and about what things could happen if she tries to run back to BM's home state (which is 900 miles from us). She also told him that SD11 has alot of hatred toward him and me. She told DH to consider what he thought was safest for SD11 and what is best for the other kids in the home. At the end of it, she says SD11 needs counseling and possibly a psych evaluation. However, the judge said she does not have grounds to force the issue as the emergency petition had to be dismissed.

So DH told me that he is really thinking about it. He let SD11 go and stay with BM. So I really don't know...