How, do I go about filing abandonment charges? I've had my cousin daughter for a year and a half now. She barely called and she is running the street with different guys. I'm afraid to let her visit with her mom because she is only 20 years old and she have had some unhealthy environment in the past, that's why she is in my care. I've given her the opportunity to get her GED and get a job, but she has still hasn't accomplished anything other than getting a GED because welfare made her do it. Before I took her into my care, she may come by every 3 to 4 months just to visit for about 45 minutes and then that's it. No help with food hampers nothing. I will not grant or help me get guardianship of her because she does not have the proper ID to file the papers. I don't understand what other options I have. I feel like she is taking advantage of my kindness and I'm grateful for the fact that I am making sure her daughter is safe without allowing me to have guardianship or anything. It is hard for me to accomplish the necessary things I need for Ashley. What do I do?

How old is the child that is in your care?

First, you don't "file abandonment charges". In almost all states child abandonment is a criminal charge that involves leaving a child without adult supervision. That's not the case here.

You need to decide what you want to do. Do you want to get guardianship of the child, custody, adoption? That would be what you file for, using abandonment as grounds. You do this by going to your local Family Court and inquiring about the procedure. You need to get, at least, temporary guardianship, since you cannot, legally, authorize medical care for the child.

Where is the father in all this. If you you go after custody and/or adoption, the father will need to be notified.

From what I understood the child in question is 20 and a legal adult.

I took it as the mother was 20. But if the child is 20 then nothing needs to be done.

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... I'm afraid to let her visit with her mom because she is only 20 years old ...

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Originally Posted by J 9

From what I understood the child in question is 20 and a legal adult.

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Now being intentionally obtuse like that is something I would have been tempted to do. :)

Assuming the child is between 1.5 and 4, please do what ScottGem says, because depending on where you live, it's going to take a long time without the birth mother's cooperation, and before you know it, kindergarten will want proof of guardianship/custody.

I think you may have to get child protective services involved to get the resources you need to provide further care for her daughter. I think you have waited long enough for her to be responsible on her own to do the right thing and she has NOT.

Its is very possible that, if you apply for guardianship, etc. that CPS will have to get involved.