[Sunflowers]

The fact that you had to go back and EDIT your own post proves the point I was making. I had said it SOUNDS LIKE. I didnt say you were. In these forums we have to deal with the written word and sometimes when dealing with delicate subjects we must choose our words carefully. Had I made the same expression as a blanket statement about women then you would be on the same bandwagon as I had done. We all appreciate you being here and trying your best to give advice but sometimes as posters emotions can get in the way. So if you do start making blanket statements try to be prepared to qualify them. Thanks.

Yes I should be especially careful with wording! Sorry and Thanks :o

[cdad]

Yes I should be especially careful with wording! Sorry and Thanks :o

No problem at all. We tend to work as a team here and if one of us is wrong or sounding out of line we police ourselves. Thanks for being here and posting.

[Sunflowers]

Sunflowers: Maybe my next step is to report her and bf. I will consult with my sister (her mother).

If your niece can't/won't go get help she might 'need' you or her mother to make the call for her. Do you mind telling us the ages of your niece and her boyfriend?

[ScottGem]

If your niece can't/won't go get help she might 'need' you or her mother to make the call for her. Do you mind telling us the ages of your niece and her bf?

This is the bottomline line, despite other issues, Sunflowers has been right all along that if there is abuse it NEEDS to be reported in MN. Running away may work against the mother if there are no prior reports of abuse.

[aarontra]

My niece is 20 and her boy friend is 22 or 23.

[Sunflowers]

This is the bottomline line, despite other issues, Sunflowers has been right all along that if there is abuse it NEEDS to be reported in MN. Running away may work against the mother if there are no prior reports of abuse.

Yes it is important that if abuse happened it is reported in MN otherwise the courts will see a claim of abuse as manipulation rather than fact, especially if there are no obvious injuries. Chances are she's going to be allowed to leave the state with the baby for the support of her family since the father is abusing them. But if it isn't reported in MN it won't matter where an Emergency Temp Custody is filed, both MN and CA courts will discount the alleged abuse.

[JudyKayTee]

All of the rest of this aside - custody, moving, going back "home" - why would your niece allow the father to abuse the baby and not report the abuse to the Police?

Her responsibilities as a mother include protecting her child.