Getting Tired After 32 Months

[illinoisgranny]

Hi All,

I haven't been around for quite some time because of issues I will not go into now, but I'm so overwhelmed right now. We just had another court date come and go with no results after nearly 32 months. I'm a grandmother licensed as a relative caregiver for my GS and running out of steam because the court cannot decide whether to send GS home or terminate so he can be adopted. Is 32 months a long time or am I just really tired? HELP!!!!!

[queenjane]

Well it certainly goes against federal law doesnt it? :(

Have they asked for termination yet? From what i understand they can go for TPR based upon length of time in care alone, if it goes on this long...what does the GAL say?

[illinoisgranny]

There was one attempt over a year ago which was not approved. The guardian ad litem has never even seen my GS even though I have asked for appointments. I asked to see the judge at the last court date and was denied.

[Polliwog]

That's crazy. Absolutely crazy. Do you have the resources to hire a lawyer?

[swd12422]

That is insane. The court and GAL are not doing their jobs. This is clearly NOT in the best interest of your GS. Doesn't your GS have an attorney appointed by the system? What does s/he say? They should be requesting a hearing or meeting with the judge on GS's behalf, and if he doesn't have an attorney, maybe you could do it instead. Someone has to stand up for the little guy!

[christophersmom]

Not fair to the little guy at all. I can't beleive they think dragging it out is what is best for the child.

[lauren]

If you can afford at all to hire a lawyer, that sounds very, very advisable at this point. This sounds like incompetence.

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

That is an extraordinarily long time. BUT, sometimes the case is a bit more complicated. It sounds like the TPR was denied last year, which will sort of reset the clock.  It happens - rarely, but it still happens.  I understand that you are tired, and with good reason.  I second (third) the recommendation to contact an attorney or intervene in the case to try to figure out what the heck is taking so long. 

[marsupial-mom]

My experience tells me that this kind of thing happens more often than anyone wants to admit. The fostercare system is BROKEN.