Ask Me Help Desk - Abandonment of a child

Abandonment of a child

I have a sixteen year old niece that is being raised by her widowed mother. She has one more year in high school and is the captain of her dance team at school and does very well in school. Her mother grauated nursing school 3 years ago and just recently has been accepted to a physician assistants school in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. We live in Tennessee. My husband and I have helped raise this child since she was 5. I have two teenage children of my own. The oldest does not want my niece to live with us, but if I don't take her in---I'm not sure what will happen to her. Her mother is leaving her anyway. Her mother draws a ssi check for her every month. Would this be considered abandonment and could I report her to authorities?? I can't stand the thoughts of her being deserted, but my husband says our family must come first----HELP!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmcgaha1957

I have a sixteen year old niece that is being raised by her widowed mother. She has one more year in high school and is the captain of her dance team at school and does very well in school. Her mother grauated nursing school 3 years ago and just recently has been accepted to a physician assistants school in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. We live in Tennessee. My husband and I have helped raise this child since she was 5. I have two teenage children of my own. The oldest does not want my niece to live with us, but if I don't take her in---I'm not sure what will happen to her. Her mother is leaving her anyway. Her mother draws a ssi check for her every month. Would this be considered abandonment and could I report her to authorities????? I can't stand the thoughts of her being deserted, but my husband says our family must come first----HELP!!!!!!!!!

Her mother has to have physical custody to keep getting those checks, that's fraud. You can take her mom to court and file for custody and start receiving checks to help with the support of that child. This is true no matter what state you live in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narlo

Her mother has to have physical custody to keep getting those checks, that's fraud. You can take her mom to court and file for custody and start recieving checks to help with the support of that child. This is true no matter what state you live in.

Narlo, please pay close attention to the 'post date'... this question was asked over 3 years ago.

Talk to yiur husband he is right your family does come first but I how bad you must feel for the child maybe call any family members you can think off that may want to take care of her if that doesn't pan out maaybe get the family together and dicuss this and maybe soemthing good will come out of that... I know the last thing any one wants. To do is give a child away, but first try to find any other option right now and keep praying for her mom... that poor girl how awfulto be abandonded my your mom .

My thought are with u

Michelle

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishelly3

Talk to yiur husband he is right your family does come first but i how bad you must feel for the child maybe call any family members you can think off that may want to take care of her if that doesnt pan out maaybe get the family together and dicuss this and maybe soemthing good will come out of that... I know the last thing any one wants. to do is give a child away, but first try to find any other option right now and keep praying for her mom.... that poor girl how awfulto be abandonded my your mom .

My thought are with u

michelle

This post is four and a half years old and the op hasn't returned. Please start looking at how old the threads are that you answer there have been quite a few old ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishelly3

Talk to yiur husband he is right your family does come first but i how bad you must feel for the child maybe call any family members you can think off that may want to take care of her if that doesnt pan out maaybe get the family together and dicuss this and maybe soemthing good will come out of that... I know the last thing any one wants. to do is give a child away, but first try to find any other option right now and keep praying for her mom.... that poor girl how awfulto be abandonded my your mom .

My thought are with u

michelle

You've opened another old post - and please, correct legal advice only, not feel good advice. This is the legal board.