Foster Care Custody

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Sunami

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Can anyone provide any advise on our situation? We have a 10 month old little girl in foster care picked up from the hospital after she was born. The mother was drug addicted and so was the baby, hence the placement. The bio grandmother was approached for placement and she said that she was unable to be a parent because she was ready to retire and not wanting to parent again and only wanted to be a grandparent. We met her and told her that we were certainly agreeable to that and she noted that we would adopt her. We had the court hearing after 9 months and the daughter had done none of her required actions to move towards custody and they said if she didn't do this that they would proceed to process permanancy plan and adoption at the next court date. The grandmother was at court and confirmed to the judge(master) that she was not a resource. A week later she filed for custody. Social services determined that she is a better placement since she is a biological relative but she is clearly bonded to us. We have talked to attorneys that said that this is not necessarily the case that after a certain period of bonding we are considered equal. This is all in Maryland. Does anyone have any suggestions? Do we have a strong case?

Thanks
 
Yes I think you have a strong case. Is there a CASA on the case? The baby has bonded with you and not Grandma and I think Granda might have some sort of ulterior motive for wanting custody. Clearly she should not be of any advantage over you just because she is a blood relative. She declined to get the child orig and the child has bonded with you. You need to build a case on why it is in the childs best interest to allow you to adopt. Unless there is something you are not telling us I do not know why grandma would be favored.
 
No, I am not sure how to get CASA involved. The child's court appointed attorney is against this decision as well.
 
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