APPLETON(AP) - A seven-year-old boy was at the center of an Appleton,
Wis. courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who
Wis. 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 regulations requiring that family
unity be maintained to the 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 out that they also beat him.
his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in
keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring that family
unity be maintained to the 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 out 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 child
welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Green
Bay Packers, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating
anyone.
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