My sister & her husband are drug addicts, can I get custody of my niece even though I am almost 17 and she is 7 months?
by 
Leslie
ANSWERS: 5
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It's not allowed in my state and probably not in your jurisdiction either. If you are concerned for your niece's welfare you can contact Child Protective Services and ask them to investigate. If the parents are both addicts it's likely the state will remove the child from the home. These investigations don't happen overnight though. If there is a willing and able adult relative, the State may grant temporary custody to that person. When you call Child Protective Services, ask how children are placed when removed from the home, and ask if you would qualify at your age. It never hurts to ask! Thanks for caring about your niece's well-being.
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No, you are too young and the child would go to a grandparent or the state if no other adult family member can take her.
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No. you are still a minor and the courts would never allow this. can you prove your sister and her husband are drug addicts and unfit parents? if so, the police need to be notified. Your niece may not be able to become your custody, but the court will find a suitable family member for her to live. then, when you turn 21 and qualify, maybe you can adopt her. Warning: taking a child away from the biological parents can create serious domestic problems, within the family. be prepared.
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Good for you for caring so much! Of course, you know by now that you yourself will not be eligible to 'foster' your neice, should the authorities decide she should be removed from her parents WHILE THEY GET THE HELP THEY NEED. However, talk to other responsible family members and speak, as a group, with child protective services. By the way, you would be doing your sister and her husband A HUGE FAVOUR! Maybe saving their lives. They won't think so at first....but eventually they will THANK YOU for having the guts to do what's right for the child and ultimately for them too.
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I doubt that the authorities would give her to you, because you are young. What about your parents? By all means, though, put them in. The child needs to be safe. Maybe, once you turn 18, you can assume responsibility. You have a good heart. Your niece is lucky to have an aunty who cares.
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