My husband had a child with a women 6 months before we met. For 4 years, the mother of the child would not let the child visit us because "she would go crazy if she had to send him away", so we would go see him in MN every year. In 03-2005, the child's mother agreed to let him come stay with us (he was 41/2). We paid for all travel costs. She was supposed to pick him up in
Aug before school started. She said she didn't have the money to come get him. For various reasons, we do not want him to go back to MN and the living situation there. Does anyone know where we stand legally? She has so far not made any attempt to come get him. They were never married and his name is on the birth certificate.

Hi,
Thank you for posting a question here at this site. I am sure you will get many answers.
In my opinion, you really should contact a lawyer, with experience in child custody. You might have to file papers in court, and I am not a lawyer; so, it would be better to be sure what to do.
Please get a Professional opinion. You can ask a lawyer the costs involved before you commit to anything. I do wish you the best.

Do she have court ordered custody? In California, speaking from experience with my son problem with California custody, their only interest will be who has the jurisdiction to determine where the custody order is from.
If she has abandond the child, than California will help you. They will look out for the best interest of the child.

No court ordered custody. I plan on contacting an attorney, but just wondered where we stand with CA. Thanks for the reply.

File in Ca. for a emergency custody order, she will have to come to CA. to dispute your claim. If she does dispute it your will gain custody of the child.