Youth Care and Out-of-Home Placement: What You Need to Know

Questioner

Dear, I have a question about child care: my 6-year-old niece was placed outside the home in January this year. As an aunt, I had previously had little to do with the child. But the way in which [family guardianship agency], especially the family guardian (with trickery and deceit UHP, kidnapped from school, not keeping agreements, etc.) went about its work raised questions for me and I started to get more involved. I have expressed my questions to the family guardian via email. I must also tell you that my sister is afraid of the family guardian because she now has a lot of power and soon she will not be allowed to see her daughter at all, she thinks. Now my niece is in a foster family and now my sister asked if I could come along on a visit. Because I sent a tough email to the family guardian with questions, I am not allowed to see my niece! Is that allowed? And can I, as an aunt, file a complaint via AKJ or even better, can I send a letter to the juvenile court? Or is the power of this agency so great that whatever action I take they will use to my sister's detriment?

Lawyer

In the case of a supervision order, the authority of the parent charged with parental authority is limited because the family guardian/institution is given powers at that level. The family guardian can give instructions and these are leading. Your sister can ask for a written instruction in which the prohibition that you may not meet your niece is stated. Your sister can then request the court to declare that written instruction null and void and your sister will therefore have a decision. This is a difficult path. Your sister can also file a complaint with the institution. A letter via the AKJ is of course also possible.