Almost a year ago I was asked to take in a friends son. His older siblings a girl 3 and another boy 18 monthes old and he 8 monthes old, were about to be placed in foster care for the mother was unable to care for them. In the past year the mother has not made any valid attempts at seeing the children, has not finacially in any way tried to support them. She does not attend Drs. Apts, or anything else we make her aware of. He has since thrived in my home. But about two monthes ago she said she was coming to get him. I have not seen her, then three weeks ago I was told by her boyfriend (that is legally married to another woman) that they would be coming to get them the 9th of June, I haven't seen them, I have heard that they moved, but when asked where they live they refuse to tell us where. What are the odds of me going to court and getting custody of this child? I am a stay at home mom married happily for 6 years and really want to give this child a stable home. Thanks for your input.
Mel~

Where is the father or fathers of the children? Has he been told about the situation?

The father is no where in the picture, and the fourth child of the two parents was placed up for adoption and the fathers parental rights stripped after failure to appear in court 3 or 4 times

Has the father been told of what is going on? Saying he is no where in the picture isn't going to cut it with the courts. If the father isn't being told then your stripping him of his options as a parent. I suggest you try to find him before going to court for anything other then temporary guardianship.

I have tried to find him on my own, and even tried befriending his mother to find out where he is. I Don't know, I know his name, but his name isn't even on the child's Birth Certificate, Im not even sure that it is truly the child's father, just what the mother has told me.

I am not trying to keep this child away from his father, If he wanted to step up and be a father it would be great, but he moved out of town and refused to tell anyone anything about it other then he was going, he hasn't supported any of these three kids in question or two others I know he has fathered.