Legal Question in Family Law in Oklahoma
Child neglect and Grandparents right to obtain custody
My daughter is neglectful of her children, to the point that I, as well as others, beleive them to be in danger. She is in danger of having them taken away by child protective services. My question is, would I, as a grandparent, have any chance of gaining custody, either temporary, or permanent, rather than have the children go to foster care, even though my daughter lied about my household, claiming that we were abusive, in order to obtain residence at the battered women's shelter? Further, given the above circumstance, and assuming that I AM telling the truth, would it be at all possible for me to take the children away from my daughter legally? A point of interest in your answer may be that these children are from 2 different fathers, neither of whom show any interest in the children, nor do they support the children. No phone calls, presents, mail, or support from the fathers in over 2 years.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Child neglect and Grandparents right to obtain custody
Over and above everything thing is the duty to protect these children. You may want to look at seeking an emergency guardianship of the children that would give you temporary care and custody of them until your daughter can get the help the helps she needs. You need to contact DHS and report the neglect. The children's interests must be placed above everything else. Good luck.