I have a niece (my brother’s daughter) who is 9 years old. When she was born my brother was with the mother and they were only 15 yrs old. She fell pregnant with my niece and ran away. 4 years down the line, she came back to my brother asking him if he wanted to see his child. After that we became a big happy family. The mother and my niece lived with me and my mum for a couple of years and then things became worse. She started treating the house like rubbish. She then did a moon light flip when my niece was 7-8 yrs old with her and didn’t bother contacting us at all. We tried ringing & texting but had no answer. We then find out she had another bloke and was living here, there & everywhere. My brother pays money to the CSA but his name is not on his daughter’s birth certificate. Now and again I see the mother and my niece comes running up to me. I sometimes contact the mother to see if I can have my niece to stay with me for a couple of nights, she agreed to this as long as I didn’t take my niece to see any of my other family members. It broke my heart to be told that but I kept it quiet. Now, the mother has turned funny and will make up excuses as to why I can’t have her etc. I am really heartbroken because I want to see my niece. I want my brother to be able to see his daughter. Please help. What can I do?

Your brother should go to court to clarify the custody issues.

Your brother does not see his child, because he has not fought in court to do so. He has rights if he will use them.