[confusedenough]

I was young and pregnant with a second baby when I asked the grandmother of my son to take care of him for awhile so that I could get back on my feet. The father of my son was in jail and I was living in my car and paying over fifty dollars a night to keep my son inside under a roof of a relative. I worked long hours and just couldn't do it by myself. She took him for me and shortly after approached me to sign a paper saying I was giving temporary custody of my child and allowing medical care. Some lady was with her who she called a notary. I wasn't allowed to read the paper and I didn't know what it said. But whatever it said I apparently signed my rights over. I have his little sister and am doing just fine now and I want my baby back. She promised if I took a parenting class and visited often that shed give him back. I'm a single mom working two jobs and its become a non existent relationship with my almost five year old son. Anytime I try to call I'm ignored or told that my son isn't old enough or smart enough to talk to me on the phone. I just want to see him. Less than a year ago she asked if I was OK with them adopting him and I said no. Haven't heard from her since. I don't even know if my parental rights were taken. I was kept in the dark and didn't understand anything. Can I get my baby back?

[ScottGem]

NEVER sign anything without reading it. Especially when someone won't let you read it or tells you its unnecessary. But that's water under the bridge.

You can't sign your rights away. However, you can sign over custody or guardianship. Since she asked about adopting, its unlikely, that you have had your rights terminated. So, yes there is a chance of getting your child back. If you can afford an attorney, get one. If grandma gets one ans you don't have one, you stand little chance.

The first task, is to file in your local family court to regain custody. You need to file a motion for Discovery to get a copy of what you signed. From there, you explain to the court, that you asked the grandmother to care for your son while you got back on your feet. Show that you are now able to care for and support your son as well as his sibling.

If you can't afford an attorney, try contacting local support groups for single mothers for legal help. Also try local law schools. Many have clinics that will help you prepare the paperwork and strategy.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[heatherlee86]

I was in a similar situation, but it was my sister who came to me and offered to help me with my then 3 year old daughter. I had to go to an inpatient rehab and get myself together. I thought then that I was doing the best possible thing for my baby girl. I was wrong! My sister got me to sign over 'temporary custody' for up to one year, you know, "just so she can receive proper medical care." and like a dummy, I signed, but only after she promised she would never try to keep my daughter from me, and that this was simply to make sure that she was cared for in the best possible way. Needless to say, I came home from rehab, (it was my first ever stay in a rehab and I was successful & have been ever since) I called my sister and that's when all the nonsense started. She wanted to keep my daughter! She started becoming harder and harder to get ahold of, no return calls, no txt respons, email, fb, nothing. Everything stopped. Then I got a two page typed letter in which my sister informed me that she and her lesbian wife of 10 years wanted to adopt my daughter and that if I truly wanted what was best for her I would sign the adoption paper work their lawyer was drawing up. It was then that I filed my own petition. Don't WAIT ANY LONGER! It has already been a year since I filed the petitions to get my daughter back, and while the ball is rolling, she still isn't home. My advice is just go to your local family court, or call, ask what petitions you need to file & do it. As far as an attorney, the county should help you, assigned counsel or legal aid will be provided. I also am caring for her little sister. At this point I have been on my feet and doing extremely well for a year and my girls rarely get to see each other, (visitation just started!) these sisters want to be together, my little girl wants to come home! The courts aren't going to jump up and do what needs to be done, trust me. You have to put in the leg work and start as soon as possible. I mean, I've jumped through every hoop, if they could they would make me crawl through a river of , but I'd do it, and god damnit I'd do it good : ) they have the most expensive attorney in the city and their still going to lose, oh! By the way, my case is going to trial, and yes, they are going to lose. The law guardian is on my side, it's just a matter of counting down until October at this point! Good luck to you, it does help : ) do what you need to do for your family, yourself and those kids. If I can do it, you can do it.