Taking the Kids?

[Serenadabarge]

My sister has three kids by two different men and she’s currently breaking up with the second and threatening to move across the country. She just got out of her fourth psychiatric hospitalization. She’s never held down a job or been able to take care of herself, but she is the blood mother of three very sweet and good kids and we are terrified for them. I haven’t been allowed near her kids for three years now but the last few family members who still talk to her are now afraid that they’ll lose contact with her kids. What can we do? Washington State.

[Notwendy]

Is anyone willing to take custody of them? Seems like a bad situation for kids to be in. If someone is willing to raise them, it is possible to take legal action? The psychiatric hospitalizations may have some weight with this.

[Serenadabarge]

Not Wendy: her boyfriend is trying for custody, but the kids are not his legally or otherwise. He’s a good person and the whole family will support his fight, but I worry about the fact she is the only legal guardian of those kids.

[Notwendy]

I don't know the process for obtaining legal custody, but if the BF is wanting to do that, I think it's the only way to get them from their mother. Probably the best you and other family can do is to help support his efforts. If there is a court decision, you can be witnesses in his favor, or assist with legal fees. I don't know how to do this legally but it seems to be the best for the kids.