What can i do about my step daughters being neglected and abused by both their mother and stepfather?

Child Abuse 5 views 1 answers
I have two stepdaughters whom i know are being abused by their mother and step father. The children have came to me and told me about how their mother and step father hit them with belts and sticks on their back and legs. They have also told me how they are home alone for hours at a time when mother goes to work and stepfather goes to a christian mens home to help out as a leader. I have contacted CPS on several occasions but i don't see anything being done. I also sent a e-mail to the school the girls attend so that they could keep their eyes open with the girls. The mother has given her oldest daughter a black eye, she has beat her so hard the poor girl couldn't sit. CPS says they cant do anything unless the police have been called and their is a police report done. What else can I do?

Attorney Answer

1
Sara Elisabeth RaymondFamily Law AttorneyCastro Valley, CA ·
In my opinion you were right to alert CPS and the school. It sounds as though you have not contacted the police at any point? This is something that you may want to consider doing, if it would get CPS moving. In the event that the police are contacted, be prepared for the possibility that the children may be taken out of the custody of their mother. You may wish to plan the call for a time when the kids are with you (you mentioned that at least two of the kids are your step-children, so I am assuming that they are in their father's custody from time to time). Father needs to file a motion in your local county's superior court (family law) asking for sole physical and legal custody. I don't know enough from what you have written above to advise further, as to procedural matters, but based on what you have provided, I believe there would be grounds for father to obtain immediate, temporary orders giving him full custody until such time that the court can have a hearing on the matter. Father should apply "ex parte" for emergency, temporary orders pending a hearing. Contact an attorney in your area or your local court for more information about how to do this. As for the child who is not your step-child, do you know where her father is? Assuming her father is not able to do what your husband should do, perhaps you and your husband should consider applying to become her legal guardian. This is ordinarily done through the probate court, and you and your husband would request custody of the child and the right to make legal decisions as to her health, education, safety, welfare, etc until such time that either or both of her legal parents can parent her again. Good luck. These children are in a terrible situation, and you are good to think of ways to step in and help them.
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