Legal Question in Family Law in Illinois

My granddaughter has lived with us for several years while her mother maintained legal custody. She is 16 and just had a baby. The father is 17. The father is extremely controling and uses threats to keep my grandaughter in line. Over the last year she has become totally submissive and dependant to his will. He has a history of violance (some suspected against my granddaughter but she denies it). We have tried reasoning with her and tried keeping them apart, but that ended when she became pregnant. The last 2 days since the baby was born he has really become bold and is alienating all family members from seeing the new baby and has convinced my grandaughter to go along with it. I dont have legal custody but fear that she will be lost if he is not seperated from her. The baby leaves the hospital in a few days and if she continues to live with me, I will keep them seperated. She threatens to leave if we don't let him come to our home. I know she is a minor, but I don't have legal custody. I can't get her mother to take legal action. What can I do to legally keep them apart.


Asked on 3/23/11, 1:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Zedrick Braden III Ainsworth & Associates PC

Hello. Legally your granddaughter's boyfriend has no rights to the baby, unless he signed a voluntary acknowledgement at the hospital. Otherwise, it will be necessary for him to be legally declared your grandchild's father in a court of law; paternity court. If you suspect that the boyfriend has physically abused your granddaughter, or has intimidated her, you can seek an order of protection on her behalf since she is a minor living in your home. I suggests that you take immediate action. You should definitely contact a lawyer when taking action. Will be happy to discuss this further and in more detail.

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Answered on 3/24/11, 10:04 pm


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