If the state takes me away from my mom, will i go to foster care?

Question

my mom is going, well to be blunt; crazy. she's talking about suicide and all this stuff because her and my dad just split and she's in serious denial about it. i've wanted this split for ages, and she keeps saying that she needs him back when he verbally abuses us and stuff and he went off to another woman. anyway, if i call the police and tell them i want them to take my mom away for a little and take care of her because she needs help will they put me in foster care because I don't want to be with my dad. But whats happening is my family in Hawaii (i live on the west coast of the US) wants me to go live with them (I'm from hawaii we just moved here to the west coast a few yrs back) and they'll take care of me and everything. my aunt, grandma, cousins, etc. so would i have a choice or would i be going to foster care? i'm 15 years old and my aunt is willing to buy a ticket and everything...

Answer 1

You should be old enough to decide where you want to live.  I hope your mom gets the help she needs.  If you explain to the cops that your father is abusive, that should help.  

Answer 2

The authorities try to keep children with families as much as possible.

The problem here is distance.  if the rest of your family will pay for the move, then this will pr4obably work out.

BUT  . . .  You will need a court order to have your mom taken away.  Unless she actually breaks the law in some way, the police cannot DO anything except warn her.  The police need a court order to do anythign else.

And being crazy is not against the law.  So judges will not  "have someone committed" (whihc is what you are asking) UNLESS they break the law and prove themselves crazy -- like trying to committ suicide.

Your best bet is to have your extened family look into having you declared a "ward of the court", and have the court send you to live with them.

Answer 3

crazy sounds extreme so lets assume she is depressed about her love life and you should encourage her to seek counseling

Answer 4

I would think that if you have family willing to take you in, the state would rather see that happen than for you to go into foster care - family is always a better option, less disruptive.  Good luck!

Answer 5

If you have family that will take care of you. You will go to them first. The government doesn't want to put you in foster care so if there is another option you will go there. But if you have to wait for the ticket you will probably have to stay with you father or go to foster care until you can leave. You mother may have a say in where you go. If you have a school counselor or someone else then talk to them. But don't waste time because your mother's life is at stake.

Check to see if your city has an government information line you can call to get some information. Because the police cannot just take your mother away because you say she needs help. There has to be just cause to take her to a mental institution. Try to get her to go on her own.

Answer 6

yah...but first they will look up ur relatives is u have any other than ur mom

Answer 7

   First of all Child protective services would be notified, and at that time you might be "kept" somehow, often it's with a foster family. Your issue even with other family might have to be a court thing. UNLESS your Mom approves, and even then your Dad could make trouble.

  I think this is for your adult, other family to research and decide, they can't just take you, that's too close to kidnapping, without any Parent consent. I get it that you're afraid, but you Mom needs as much help too. That isn't for you to do either, except tell her you care, and love her, if you do.

  Another issue especially if no abuses  were ever reported, will be that your dad is the other option, and still you need to have help from other  legitimate family members. It all sounds like a court will have to be involved, no matter who gets to make the choices. YOU do have rights, and can at least ask/ petition for who you want to live with, temporary or not.

A.F.

  Hugs on you, and I hope you get through this safely. I hope all good for your Mom too.

Answer 8

you are in a hard place right now..see if some of the relative can help you out with your mom to get some professional help

Answer 9

Usually if there is family willing to take you in the state would rather do that than place you with strangers.  Sounds like you are going through a lot, find someone to speak with and best of luck to you.

Answer 10

Probably your best bet is to call the folks at child protective services.  They will be involved even if you call the police first.  They will do their best to see that you have the best possible outcome.  At your age, your desires should be considered.  If you want to take a more preliminary step look up the number at www.childhelp.org  Folks there will be knowledgeable, sympathetic, and helpful.