OMG! Please send good thoughts!!

[LeeAndra]

I will pray, Col! I know all too well how screwed up DFS can be.

[LeeAndra]

Pro se means to represent one's self, so to appear pro se in court means that you are your own lawyer. I'm not sure what a pro se officer of the court would be, though. Perhaps it is something like a guardian ad litem?

A GAL is an officer of the court appointed to specifically represent the child(ren's) best interests and be an objective third party in custody and court hearings. They could be lawyers, but oftentimes, they are not, just volunteers that have been through a training program and served X amount of hours before becoming 'official.'

If she heard abt beatings or any kind of abuse, then yes, she would be required by law to report this to the court as all are child workers: youth ministry, pastors, daycare workers, teachers, etc.

GALs often submit reports to the judge during a custody hearing based on their fact findings and interviews with the children and parents, so I don't know whether the abuse was part of her regular report or a secondary independent report, but at least around here, the judges almost always go along with whatever the GAL recommends, so a report from her condemning the biological mother for abuse can definitely work in your friends' favor.

[meganmecrazy]

Sending up prayers <<<HUGS>>>

[ColleenSwerb]

Originally Posted by LeeAndra

Pro se means to represent one's self, so to appear pro se in court means that you are your own lawyer. I'm not sure what a pro se officer of the court would be, though. Perhaps it is something like a guardian ad litem?

A GAL is an officer of the court appointed to specifically represent the child(ren's) best interests and be an objective third party in custody and court hearings. They could be lawyers, but oftentimes, they are not, just volunteers that have been through a training program and served X amount of hours before becoming 'official.'

If she heard abt beatings or any kind of abuse, then yes, she would be required by law to report this to the court as all are child workers: youth ministry, pastors, daycare workers, teachers, etc.

GALs often submit reports to the judge during a custody hearing based on their fact findings and interviews with the children and parents, so I don't know whether the abuse was part of her regular report or a secondary independent report, but at least around here, the judges almost always go along with whatever the GAL recommends, so a report from her condemning the biological mother for abuse can definitely work in your friends' favor.

That makes a lot of sense LA. Thank you for explaining some things.
The pro se' heard about the abuse from the child himself (he's very open, he'll tell anyone anything if they'll listen, lol). So it would make sense then that she reported them.

That woman was sent to speak with them after my friend submitted a letter to the judge complaining about the living conditions (like 9 people living in a single room - according to the court papers the boy is supposed to have his own room and bed and such, none of which he had), and of general fear for the boy due to the mothers unstable nature. For once, the judge seemed to listen and sent the pro se'.

It seems like a step in the right direction anyway. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more of an update from my friend.

ETA:It was probably a GAL who spoke with the boy on friday, not a pro se'. That makes more sense. They'd been trying to get him a court appointed lawyer.

[jessica31876]

The way it works in Florida is the minor is automatically appointed a GAL by the court. It is usually a lawyer from my understanding but does not have to be. The reason being is the minor/child in question needs someone who is going to represent his needs and not be biased by one side or the other. I went through all of this with my mom and step-dad when I was placed in the states care. I was kinda young. Just barely 13 but I remember all of these things. I will keep your friends in my thoughts. Most likely they will have an emergency hearing to figure out what to do with the little boy until the next hearing or they can find a permanent placement and since he has been with your friends they would likely keep him there

[Dottie]

Sending positive thoughts to yours friends, the little boy and his sister.