Legal Question in Juvenile Dependency in California

neice 15, foster care,pregnant

My neice is 15 years old and in the foster care system. She ran away met an 18 year old and got pregnant. Baby due in July, boyfriend in jail different crime. Foster parent says she can not keep the baby she has to adopt it out. Neice wants to keep the baby. What are her rights? I would like to get custody of neice as soon as I get my own place. I am 50 no legal violations on my record. How do I start this process in Calaveras county?


Asked on 5/01/07, 5:37 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Linardi Sacramento Child Advocates, Inc.

Re: neice 15, foster care,pregnant

The fact that your niece is a dependent (foster child) does not mean that her child will automatically become a foster child and definitely doesn't mean she has to give the baby up for adoption. However, if she continues to run away from placements, that will create risk for the baby and CPS may take the baby. So she needs to stay in placement, get prenatal care, and make sure there is no reason for cps to remove her baby from her care.

If the foster parent isn't willing to have your niece's baby placed in her home, then CPS needs to find an appropriate home, and find a home willing to accept your niece and her baby.

If you are interested in placement, you need to contact your niece's social worker to begin the process. They'll do background checks, criminal checks, cps checks, and physically inspect your home. You should do that right away.

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Answered on 5/01/07, 7:04 pm


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