Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
my girlfriend has a 7 year old autistic child for good majority of his life i have taken care of him, i have taught him, i have provided for him.
his mother doesn’t work, As well as emotionally neglectful, she doesn’t do more then cuddle him once a blue moon.
His father works but is emotionally distant and not present unless he gets something for it.
I am reaching a point i may need to separate myself but id rather if i could take him. Part of me feels his mother would let me because she genuinely doesn’t want to be a mother and wants him to be provided for and may but his father would never let me take him.
They have never taken this kid to a dentist. he didn’t even go to a doctor till i got my grandmother to call a favor to get him one. he’s not in school right now cause i can’t really do anything as not his biological parent.
What would be the steps if i wanted to sue for full custody and take the child myself and just start him over on a good track. both if his mothers willing to sign her rights for me or if i had to go to court to fight for them out right. i just want him to be in a good position.
Comments
If the parents agree, you’re golden.
If they don’t, there’s no path to getting the child unless you can allege more serious abuse or neglect than you have here.
You are not in a position to file for custody. If you seperate and believe the child is being neglected, you can call CPS and offer yourself as placement, but expect that to be a far chance, and for family to be considered as kinship placement first.
Now, if you believe the mother(and father depending on the custody situation) would allow you to take the child in voluntarily you can become their guardian. I would recommend formalising this to what ever maximum degree the mother is comfortable with, because you’ll need some kind of documentation to be able to make medical, schooling, etc., decisions for the child.
You have no claim to custody.
If both parents agree, you can file for guardianship.
You can report neglect to CPS.
Would the father agree to terminate parental rights so you could adopt the child?
If so, then you’d be in a position to file for custody. It makes the process longer, but if it’s what you really want, it may be worth it.