My daughter and two sons (ages 5 and 12) moved in with me two weeks ago. The father is in Tennessee. Daughter has not attempted to find a job. She is at the beach right just bumming around with the 5 year old and trying to get assistance. What rights do I have to take the 5 year old and 12 year old away from her? She is unstable and will not doing anything for herself.

Call CPS... Child protective services.

Call CPS.....Child protective services.

Thank you- but, will they take children from me right away since I will be calling them, would they give them to me? I am just worried what they will do?

Sounds better than most welfare moms I know. As long as they have a roof, food, clothes and no abuse you would be wasting your time and causing problems. So what do you mean by not stable that would be significant?

No unless there is immediate danger to safety they will do an investigation, make her comply with list of things to fix within a certain time. It could take months

Thank you- but, will they take children from me right away since I will be calling them, would they give them to me? I am just worried what they will do?

You can make a request to be named as a guardian...

I don't know your legal right but proving neglect and some one being unstable is difficult in a court of law, and you may be better served to talking out a plan so the welfare of the children comes first.

Absolutely agree - if the children are in danger you must do something to protect them, even if that means they go into foster care in the short term.

I don't know that "bumming around" on the beach with a 5 year old and trying to get Welfare constitute neglect, bad parenting or unstable behavior. What specifically has you concerned?

If the daughter lives with you then its not likely they are going to be handing the children over to you. They most likely will be asking about the father of the children and may go to him so they are removed completely from the situation.