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Sexual, emotional, and nelgectful child abuse? How to go about prosecuting and getting custody?
My cousin, who I consider my sister, and who is 9 years younger than me, I KNOW is being emotionally abused and being neglected as far as medical and dental care. I have wanted to obtain full custody of her for a while now, but have not proceded, because I love her mother, my aunt, and believed that she just needed mental analysis and treatment. Recently I have discovered that her mother's, off again on again, live in boyfriend maybe sexually abusing my cousin and my aunt has yet to seek treatment for her various mental disorders. I cannot take it anymore! Something has got to be DONE NOW! My mother, grandmother, and I have been providing for her for a long while now. My aunt does, but ONLY the bare minimum, also my aunt's mental state is deteriorating rapidly and she is obsessed with this loser. How do I go about getting custody? How do I go about prosecuting my aunt's boyfriend? I don't know when, how, or how often this has been done to my cousin, as far as sexually.
I have not heard it come from my cousin's mouth yet; I plan on talking to her VERY soon about it. I have talked to my grandmother, and my grandmother told me that my cousin has admitted to my aunt's boyfriend "kissing" her!! My grandmother told my cousin's father and my aunt told him that granny had been drinking, which was a lie! I do not know if my cousin will open up and feel comfortable enough to tell me. We are VERY close, but she has been so withdrawn here lately and won't tell anyone anything about what is going on with her. If she won't tell how can I prosecute and have it investigated? I do not know how to really go about this, but something has to be done and I can't let this continue. I'm not in the best financial state right now, I mean I am in better shape than her mother and I can and DO care for my cousin, but what would be the best way to handle this without breaking the bank? Should I involve DCS? My mother involved them before about my nephew and they did nothing!
6 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Sexual abuse and child neglect is a lot easier to prove than emotional abuse since there will be physical evidence that a doctor could locate by examining your cousin. The easiest way to go about this is to go to the police with the allegation. While it's good to have some proof to back up your claims, really, it's going to be up to the police or child protective services to conduct the investigation and locate the evidence so don't worry about building the case. That's not your job. When you talk to the police, you need to be able to point out specific incidences that lead you to believe your cousin is being sexually abused or neglected.
Be prepared to answer the 'how' question. How do you know your cousin is being abused? Is this based on hearsay? Have you seen physical markings on your cousin that led you to suspect abuse? What is the extent of the medical and dental neglect? Is your aunt intentionally failing to provide medical and dental care, or is she financially incapable of doing so? What exactly is it about your aunt's behavior that causes you to question her mental stability? Does she have a history of problems? These are things to keep in mind when you go to report the allegation of abuse.
I cannot state this more clearly. DO NOT mention getting custody of your cousin when you are submitting your allegations to the police. This could cause them to question your motives and they might not take your allegations as seriously if they think you are doing this just to get custody.
Source(s): I have a BA in criminology - Chandru MLv 61 decade ago
If you are not sure about the legal issues, and where, and whom to go to for help, the easiest thing would be to contact your local police. Request to speak to someone who can help with you with a possible child abuse case. Of course, they too will insist on evidence. However, they will be certain to guide you to the right department, the right person, in order to seek assistance. I would not go to these people with the the sole intention to seek custody. Your main concern should be her safety and you should make sure to express this as the main reason for going to them for help. I am sure that too will feel the same compassion.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
If you know for sure she's being sexually abuse, start with the police. They'll do the investigation...their "Special Victims Unit", or what ever your department calls it. Mention that her mother mostly likely needs mental evaluation, with the specific reasons, and that can be taken care of too.
- 1 decade ago
your cousin has to be honest with at least a lawyer. if she comes out and says that she is being neglected and possibly sexually abused then there you will have it.
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- raichasaysLv 71 decade ago
Report everything you know to child protective services. If they find grounds to remove your cousin, ask the court to appoint you as guardian.
- eric lLv 61 decade ago
With out evidence, there is no case. Get the evidence and the case will develop.
