Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

Parental rights for a single mom with custody of 5 teens?

I am a single mother of 5 teens ages 13-17 1/2 two of which are twins and they are the eldest. I have legal custody. The father, I divorced some 10 yrs. ago and he has since been deported. I don't recieve any child support and I get no assistance from the state other than Medical and Housing. I am currently having a problem with the eldest twin which attacked me and left the home. The dispute was over me being disapponted with them not graduating and them making other arrangments to get home from work. Am I liable for this child running away? Can I file a complaint for his act of violence towards me? He will be 18 in 3mos.

I also have my mother who is constantly confusing my kids by slandering me when I discipline them. She has called CPS several times throughout the time of me having my kids amongst various attempts to have my kids taken from me in which I have been raising alone. Can I stop her from communicating with my kids? I am down and she upsets them to do more damage than they already do on their own as being kids. Please Help me resolve this.


Asked on 2/07/06, 6:01 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: Parental rights for a single mom with custody of 5 teens?

I suggest you report the child as a runaway to the police so they can try and locate him, unless you already know where he's now living. I don't know what you mean by being "liable" for his departure; you can't be held responsible if he harms someone else or commits a crime. You can certainly file a complaint regarding his assault of you and that will put him into the juvenile justice system, which might be in his best interest.

As far as your mother is concerned, I doubt you'll be able to cut off communication between her and the children based on the reasons you cited. Your twins will be adults soon in any event.

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Answered on 2/08/06, 9:29 am


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