Most Pennsylvania residents know that being a parent means taking responsibility to raise children to be productive members of society. A recent child custody case found a mother pleading with her state’s Court of Appeals to allow her two daughters to be returned to her care. The mother had lost her child custody privileges because of numerous reports of alcohol abuse.
After reports that the mother had been drinking and then passed out while her daughters were in her care, an initial investigating officer did not find anything amiss. A follow-up visit by someone from Child Services led to the mother admitting she had begun drinking again after going through a rehabilitation program. Her criminal history showed numerous charges against her for driving while impaired, two of those within a 36-hour time frame.
The mother was visited once more by Child Services, and she told the investigator the girls’ father was a drug addict and there was no one else to take care of them. The next day, social services requested custody of the girls, which the court granted. When the mother appeared for the custody hearing, she was intoxicated and was ordered into treatment for her alcohol abuse. She was given monthly visitation with her daughters along with orders to get a safe place to live, gain employment, agree to random drug testing and sign a child support agreement.
In every custody case, the goal of the parents should be to do what is best for the children, even if it means putting their personal feelings aside. Many times assistance is needed to facilitate an agreement between the parents. As each state has its own laws pertaining to child custody and support, finding the right professional who has a thorough knowledge of the laws in Pennsylvania is important in getting a satisfactory arrangement.
Source: greensboro.com, “Rockingham County woman argues intoxication shouldn’t cost her custody of children“, Danielle Battaglia, Nov. 11, 2016
