Gordo..AP - A seven-year old boy was at the center of a Orleans Parish
courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should
have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents
and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child
custody law and regulation requiring that family unity be maintained to the
highest degree possible.
The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more
than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge
then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said
that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate
family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life
among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to
propose who should have custody of him.
After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child
welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the New Orleans
Saints, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.
Seth
courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should
have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents
and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child
custody law and regulation requiring that family unity be maintained to the
highest degree possible.
The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more
than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge
then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said
that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate
family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life
among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to
propose who should have custody of him.
After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child
welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the New Orleans
Saints, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.
Seth