Friend and his adoption problems?

Question

Recently one of my friends came up to me asking if I could help with his problem. His closet friend who is a fifteen year old teenage girl (even though she is in the mind state of a ten year old boy) is having alot of family problems with Money and her father drinks and her mother beats her.

ANYWAY he's almost nineteen and he wants to get her out of there. She looks up to him as a big brother but, how can I help him and what does he need to do to get her out of there and adopt her ?

Answer 1

He almost 19 and his closet friend is a girl that is 15 but has tie IQ us a 10 year old boy. ???

I really do not think a court is going to let him adopt her.  

DCFS needs to get involved..

Answer 2

If she was mature enough, the court could grant her permission to legally move out on her own or with someone else in some states. I know Texas is that way.

Answer 3

sounds like a problem for childrens services. your friend is a very nobel person but this child will have major problems and will need the help of someone who has lived life a little more.  he needs to advise this child to go to her guidance counselor at school

Answer 4

He's not going to be able to adopt her.  I can't imagine any court allowing a 19 year old boy adopt a 15 year old unrelated girl.  (Even if it was a sibling situation, he'd be more likely to be appointed guardian rather than actually adopt her.)

Its good of him to be concerned - he should contact the family/social services office (or whatever the appropriate office  is titled) and get them involved.  They are the only ones who would would have authority to remove her from her home, if just cause is determined.  (Unless her parents gave her up voluntarily.)  

Perhaps he could help her to identify other family members/close friends who would be in a position to take her in, if child protective services determines she needs to be removed.  Generally they would prefer a child to be placed with people she is familiar with, if suitable individuals can be found.  What about his own parents?  Are they an option/in a position to help him help her?  (Perhaps considering he is a considerate/concerned person, he may have picked up that trait from his parents and can go to them for help?)

Answer 5

It's noble that he wants to help but lets be realistic about the situation.  At 19 he wouldn't be considered by any welfare agency to be a suitable guardian or even parent to a 15 year old of the opposite s*x.  The courts would first look to see if there were any family members she could stay with.  If she is emotionally or mentally younger than her age she will need to be placed with a responsible adult.  My suggestion would be for your friend to maybe talk to her about her family options and maybe help her contact them to see what arrangements could be made.  If she doesn't have anyone then the most responsible thing to do would be call child welfare and have them look into the manner.  At her age she can request to be removed from the home.  If she is emotionally and financially able to support herself then it might be possible for her to seek emanicpation at age 16.  This would basically make her an adult with adult responsibilities.  It's hard to get this option but it's still an option.  Encourage your friend to keep her safe and make the calls to child services.

Answer 6

I don't think he is old enough to adopt her but perhaps call social services and they can help her

Answer 7

Sorry, but mental retardation cannot make a fifteen year old girl have the mind of a ten year old boy.  

But -- if she is being abused or neglected, your friend MUST call protective services and let them investigate.  It is the law.  They willl make a determination where the safest place is for this girl.  But unless he is related to her, like her brother, then they will not consider him.  He would have to be 21 or older.

Answer 8

call the police

Answer 9

marry her