howzer said:
My Daughter 17 years old is currently in very serious trouble and I need help. Up until a couple of weeks ago she was a senior in high school and college bound. Now she has left the family home, dropped out of school, is pregnant and is residing with a 31 year old male also the father of the child. He has a very lengthy police record, has been involved with other young females and has two children from a previous relationship with one of them. Prior to this my daughter was never in trouble. She was never unruly. County agencies have informed her mother there is nothing she nor they can do because my daughter is 17 and although she is making poor decisions she nor the man have broken any law. The SC State Attorney Generals office advised her to pursue one law but again County officials said they couldn't make it stick. Is there anything the law or I or her mother can do to get her away from this man, and back in school. My daughter and her mother reside in SC, I reside in NC.
My response:
I can empathize with your situation. But I've got to ask - - what is it that you're hoping to get from someone in Cyberspace, when the "authorities" (who are best able to advise you) are telling you they cannot do anything for you ?
Your daughter, I can assure you, didn't merely turn from good girl to "bad girl" in just a matter of a few days, as you allude to being the case. Pregnancy and a relationship with a 31 year old male (usually) takes a bit longer, and something her mother should have seen and known about for some time. If there's any blame in this matter, it can be placed squarely in Mom's lap.
Instead of dwelling on what has happened, I would suggest that you consider what you, Mom and your daughter should do for the future in terms of the child. Your daughter (and perhaps you and Mom) need to see an attorney for advice concerning how best to protect that newborn's interests in terms of Child Support, Visitation, and Custody. There will be questions concerning what surname to place on the birth certificate; e.g., mother's maiden name or father's surname, and how that may impact future legal procedures. So, plan ahead now while the "getting is good" and there won't be any pressure when those decisions need to be made.
But, the damage is done, and there's no turning back the clock. Your daughter will, undoubtedly, be turning 18 soon. She's made her bed, so to speak, and now she'll be the one who'll be coming to this Board with her story of "woe" when things blow up in her face.
IAAL
