Adoption of child when natural parent may be unfit

[Aedwards]

My brother for several years raised the biological son of his first wife. He was never permitted to adopt the boy and recently sent the 10 year-old back to his mother in Arizona. I am in contact with the boy's grandmother, who tells me that her daughter (my brother's ex-wife) has no place to stay, is unable to hold a job, and is probably placing the boy in unsafe circumstances with questionable characters (her 'friends').

The grandmother would like to know what would happen if she were to report the situation to a child protective agency. Also, her daughter-in-law has expressed an interest in adopting the boy--only, however, if the mother would be willing to give over full parental rights.

What steps would be involved in removing the boy from his mother? Would he be placed directly into the daughter-in-law's home? Can the court terminate the natural mother's parental rights and, if so, under what circumstances? How would the grandmother get the process underway?

 

[LegalBeagle]

My brother for several years raised the biological son of his first wife. He was never permitted to adopt the boy and recently sent the 10 year-old back to his mother in Arizona. I am in contact with the boy's grandmother, who tells me that her daughter (my brother's ex-wife) has no place to stay, is unable to hold a job, and is probably placing the boy in unsafe circumstances with questionable characters (her 'friends').

The grandmother would like to know what would happen if she were to report the situation to a child protective agency. Also, her daughter-in-law has expressed an interest in adopting the boy--only, however, if the mother would be willing to give over full parental rights.

What steps would be involved in removing the boy from his mother? Would he be placed directly into the daughter-in-law's home? Can the court terminate the natural mother's parental rights and, if so, under what circumstances? How would the grandmother get the process underway?

If CPS are involved in taking away the child, then the child will probably be placed into foster care. Other relatives can petition for custody of the child but what chances anyone has is unknown. The ex husband would have no chance since he is not even in the same state.