Many couples who choose to get divorced also have to go through the child custody process. However, situations other than divorce can cause a couple to fight for custody of their children. These cases can be caused by numerous reasons and each situation is unique to the couple and children involved. Those going through child custody battles in Texas have to keep what is best for the children in the front of their minds.
A couple is now facing a child custody battle after being the recipients of an act of kindness one weekend. The family of seven is homeless and was unable to find room in a shelter on a rainy night. Seeing the family without protection from the rain and cold, four policemen paid for them to stay in a hotel room for the night. Afterward, the four officials attempted to get the family further help from the city’s social services.
A deeper look into the well-being of the family led Child Protective Services to take the five children from their parents. Although being homeless is not an appropriate reason for removing a couple’s children, the parent’s admitted to having drug problems at some point. The father is actively seeking treatment and is enrolled in rehab; the couple is willing to do anything to get their family back together. Their custody hearing will occur within a week.
Child custody is commonly associated with families going through the divorce process. While this is a typical reason for these cases, other situations can prompt a custody battle. Anything that could be deemed unfit parenting, abuse or neglect by the guardians of the children can lead social services to remove them from the situation. However, Texas families who face child custody battles have the right to defend themselves and to show that they are providing what is best for their children.
Source: abc13.com, Homeless family helped by San Francisco police officers loses custody of children, No author, Feb. 13, 2014