MY daughter disappers for days at a time, I am the one who cares and supports the children. She is collecting welfare and food stamps which none of it goes to the children, The children have lived with me all the lives they are 4 and 7 The father has not paid child support ever. And has been in jail one many of occasion and has a restraing order issued by the judge. He has broken in my house and stoled my daughter purse and all her money, and spen 3 months in jail. When my daughter came home with her new born, he beat her up and stole all her money. I let him come to my house to see his children for christmas, and when my daughter left the room he stole $270 dollars and ran out. There was a police report

You would file in court for guardianship of the children. California does recognize grandparents rights. (if this orange county is the one outside of Los Angeles, Ca). Also have you spoken to the caseworker about her behavior? There should be one in place if she is receiving welfare.

If you yourself are low income there may be help available to you though the local legal authority. You need to ask the courthouse about that. Also if the father is paying child support you may not know about it as any child support collected would go to the state to offset the welfare she is receiving.