Legal Question in Family Law in Illinois

My brother passed away in October, leaving a grown daughter and two minor daughters, ages 12 and 13. He had been divorced from the mother of the two younger girls, and had sole custody of them, but remarried her shortly before he passed away. At the time of his death, he was in the process of divorcing her a second time, and taking custody again. The mother has allowed her sister (the girls aunt) to physically abuse them, and has psychologically and emotionally abused them herself. The elder girl was raped by a relative of the abusive aunt, and forced to bathe and remove evidence before going to police, and the younger girl has taken to self-mutilation since being forced to remain with her mother. As concerned relatives, is there anything my survivng siblings and I can do to get our neices out of this abusive environment before something tragic occurs?


Asked on 12/11/09, 4:34 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sue Roberts-Kurpis, Esq. Law Office of Sue Roberts-Kurpis

You need to contact the Department of Children and FAmily Services and give them the information you've referred. You may also want to file a Petition in Probate Court to become the children's guardian. The court can then appoint a guardian ad litem to look into your allegations.

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Answered on 12/16/09, 5:54 pm


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