I found this site while searching for info on relinquishing custody.
A little background info...
Three years ago my sister brought her children (then 2 and 3) because she was homeless and broke. My sister has slight mental issues and her life has not improved much since then. I have had the kids the entire time and the Children Services worker who legally placed them with me told me I would have to have custody for them to be able to live in my home, then assisted me through the process of getting it. The kids both have post traumatic stress syndrome, behavior issues, ADHD, and more. They have seen therapist, a Dr. and are on meds that are supposed to help.
Our house is in constant turmoil when they are home. The boy who just turned 5 is not in school yet (he is on a waiting list). In the morning we have to deal with both of them screaming and yelling and refusing to get ready, eat breakfast, brush teeth, etc. When his meds kick in it gets a bit better. She leaves at 8:30 for school and finally it is quiet for a while. His meds start wearing off around noon and it is hard to get him to be still except when he is playing video games which we don't like to do 1. because we are not big on vidioits, and 2. When he is playing he will use the bathroom in his pants and on the carpet. She gets home around 3:45 and the house goes crazy. Both her and her brother run around the house making every noise you can think of. If you try to get them to sit and do something quietly you get a tantrum. Time outs turn into an hour or more ordeal. It stays like this till around 9 when their night time meds kick in. Some night the meds don't do much good and they are up till midnight or later. Other nights they are up and down all night. The little boy will actually tell the other children that he will get up in the night and mess with their stuff that he is not allowed to mess with. They have ruined walls, door, windows, screens, toy, books, clothes, and just about anything else you can think of. I love them but I just can't handle it anymore. My husband is telling me that he hates to come home and has thought about leaving. We have 4 children that are older than them who try to stay out of the house because they say it is too caotic and loud. We have a 2 year old that is starting to pick up on their bad behaviors. I don't know what to do. My home is falling apart and when I have asked about finding the kids other living arrangements I have been told that could give custody to someone else if they petitioned for it but there is nobody to do that. My mother loves my niece and she is her favorite because she is her only granddaughter but can't take custody of her for many reasons. I don't know what to do. I love them but their behavior is so hard to deal with and I am afraid that I am going to loose my temper one day and hurt one of them. My niece tells me everyday that she hates living with me and my house because I have too many rules. If anybody knows if I have any options in Ohio I would be really grateful.