Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

child abuse/neglect

My younger cousin who will be 16 in June wants out of her house. She has been taking so much crap from her parents since she was 3. She wants to move in with my grandmother but we know he parents will not allow it. Now my cousin has been beaten, punched, and been dragged by her hair since the time she was 3. Her mother also forces her to walk down about 400 feet in the dark and cold alone (since about age 6) to feed, and care for the familys horses. Not only is it dangerous to be down there alone she is normally only given a flashlight and has been awakened at midnight to do so if her mother wants. Not to mention the emotional abuse she has suffered. She's told she is not good enough, she's dumb and stupid, and is introuble on a daily basis for diffrent things that are not worth even a second look. My family is very concerned about her safty. She has a brother and a sister and neither one have to go through this. Her dad is there but is to afriad to upset the mother to help her? What should we do about this? she needs out of there as soon as possible but we don't want a hige leagle battle to get her. We want her safe. What should we do?


Asked on 3/07/07, 11:14 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

John Jackson Law Office of John A. Jackson, P.C.

Re: child abuse/neglect

If you think it is abuse call child protective services. Let them handle it. They are supposed to be the experts. They may appoint a guardian for the girl and she may be able to petition for emancipation.

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Answered on 3/07/07, 12:43 pm


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