Stephanie Bennet
Not much news but it’s something:
Ohio.com - Adoption decisions questioned
A state appeals court judge has expressed concern that teenage mothers are allowed to give up children for adoption in Ohio without their parents being consulted.In a decision released Wednesday in a local adoption case, 9th District Court of Appeals Judge Donna J. Carr said it’s troubling that minors are restricted from entering into other legal contracts, but not adoptions.
”We allow 16-year-olds, and those even younger, to independently decide to permanently terminate the relationship of parent and child without the advice of their own parent or perhaps the counsel of a guardian ad litem or attorney,” she wrote in a three-page addendum to the court’s decision.
Holly Freaking Loo Yah. Yes, yes, yes, imagine that?
We can just snatch a kid from a teenage girl without giving her any legal counsel, notifying her parents, etc. BUT try letting her get an abortion on her own…
Gosh, I hope this means good news for Stephanie and for reform in general.
This is not rocket science here people.
thank goodness. a voice of reason. i feel this, and abortion, are decisions adults should be included in, where young girls are concerned.
I said this over at Shannon’s too, but I’m not sure this is progress - Orrielynn’s comment is exactly why I’m wary of this. I don’t think we can legislate parental involvement. Parental support is the ultimate goal, but legislating involvement doesn’t guarantee support.
CTS, I’d like to see independent counsel for any expectant mother but particular for a mother under the age of 18. She needs an advocate maybe even AGAINST her parents so a disinterested party (do they exist) would be ideal.
Hey, there, long long time no read. Life is nuts. I’m very glad I stopped by to see some movement on the Stephanie Bennett case. Not much perhaps, but something. And in this case something is far better than nothing at all.
I hope life is treating you and your family well!
Yes, over at mine, everyone is saying “this is like abortion parental consent” but that’s not really what the judge is saying.
i dont understand why my comments above should make anyone wary.
i think parents should know of any situation, as monumental as pregnancy, in their underage childs life. i think minor girls are too young to make such decisions, without parental involvement.
i have an 11yo dd and i hope she feels comfortable to come to me if such a situation presents itself to her. and if not, i only hope someone sends her back to me, before she takes action.
i think minors may not realize the support their parents may offer. i think our children so want our approval, that, no matter how good and receptive and nonjudgemental parents, we think we may be, they may still be afraid to come to us.
i dont know if abortion is considered surgery, but i think it is a serious procedure.
i dont understand how a young girl can be allowed to undergo it without her parents being there. illness, even death, can result from it.
I think the girl needs an advocate - for HER. While I would hope her parents would be her advocates, one cannot assume that. I applaud the judge for including “perhaps the counsel of a guardian ad litem or attorney” in her ruling.
In Ohio, a guardian ad litem is appointed by the family court to represent any child who is in custody of the child welfare system.
I can’t understand how a baby can be born and pass from the legal custody of his minor parent(s) and into the legal custody of adoptive parents without the state appointing a GAL to act as a consultant to the teen mother–regardless of the involvement or consent or desires or cooperation of the grandparents.