[steamy]

I have a niece (my brother’s daughter) who is 9 years old. When she was born my brother was with the mother and they were only 15 yrs old. She fell pregnant with my niece and ran away. 4 years down the line, she came back to my brother asking him if he wanted to see his child. After that we became a big happy family. The mother and my niece lived with me and my mum for a couple of years and then things became worse. She started treating the house like rubbish. She then did a moon light flip when my niece was 7-8 yrs old with her and didn’t bother contacting us at all. We tried ringing & texting but had no answer. We then find out she had another bloke and was living here, there & everywhere. My brother pays money to the CSA but his name is not on his daughter’s birth certificate. Now and again I see the mother and my niece comes running up to me. I sometimes contact the mother to see if I can have my niece to stay with me for a couple of nights, she agreed to this as long as I didn’t take my niece to see any of my other family members. It broke my heart to be told that but I kept it quiet. Now, the mother has turned funny and will make up excuses as to why I can’t have her etc. I am really heartbroken because I want to see my niece. I want my brother to be able to see his daughter. Please help. What can I do?

[I wish]

Your brother should go to court to clarify the custody issues.

[Fr_Chuck]

Your brother does not see his child, because he has not fought in court to do so. He has rights if he will use them.