Well the mom is in drug court and has a one year old and three year old. While the mother left state to work she left her two kids with her mother. Grandma called a girl that we will call Sue to take care of the baby saying she can not handle the baby anymore. Once Sue went to pick up the baby he had one DIRTY bottle and a half of can of formula, and this family knowing that they were leaven the baby for three weeks!! Sue bought diapers, formula, clothes, and has taking care of this baby for three weeks. Then the baby went home to mom and the one year old bit him. Once a few weeks pass mom gets into more trouble and grandma calls Sue again saying Sue needs to come get this baby she can't handle him! Sue could not go get him until the next day and once she did they sent two dirty bottles one with mold in the nipple, ten diapers, and no wipes or formual. Sue went back for formula because they do get wic. When Sue arrived the grandma was running around looking for the carseat and it was in the middle of the livinroom floor. She is so messed up that she could not see it in frount of her. Sue has totally taking care of this little boy and bought everything that this baby owns. The mom is back in jail and has court Monday. We believe she is willing to sign her rights over to Sue and we don't know where to get the papers. Sue could not even take this child to the ER if she needed to or DHS would take him away. They both are bonded to one another and Sue wants to raise this child. How do we get this legal? There is no dad on the birth certificate and we think the mom will sign him over.

Sue really needs to see a lawyer ASAP to get the paperwork started.

First off "sue" needs to get temporary guardianship from the mother. That will give "sue" some basic rights for caring for the child. After that "sue" needs to seek out a lawyer and try to get an adoption started. This can be a very expensive process. The father of the child will have to be made known and an attempt to contact the father will have to be made. Its going to be a long legal process. In the end chances are good that "sue" can adopt and even better chances if "sue" has been married for a year or more to her current husband.

Califdad's advice is accurate, but I'm not so sure of his optimism that Sue can adopt.

I'd be more inclined for Sue to send someone to DHS and ask how Sue (without mentioning names) can get guardianship of the child. Either that or get an attorney to advise her. Once she has legal guardianship, she can (more openly) go about the adoption process.