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What rights do caregivers, grandparents, foster parents, aunts, and uncles have to participate
in juvenile court? The initial answer is no rights. They have the right to be present
to see what’s occurring. The only persons who have absolute rights are the parents of
the child and/or people who are designated de facto parents. A de facto parent is a parent
that the court has recognized. It’s somebody who has had a relationship with the child,
who has cared for the child, the child has been in their home. They have such a relationship
with that child – a bond with that child – that their input to the court will be
important to the court to hear and listen to in terms of what should be done with that
child. Now grandparents, aunts, uncles, concerned friends should be following the process of
the court proceeding. Because if the parents don’t follow their case plan, don’t reunify
with their children, that child will be put up for adoption. So and quite often if the
child is been with a foster family, they’ve developed a bond with that child, they’ll
be first in line to adopt. Quite often we get calls from grandparents either after parental
rights are being terminated, saying that “We didn’t know this child was in the juvenile
process. We don’t want this child going to a foster family. What can we do?” And
in that case, there’s very little that we can do. And basically the question that we
ask is why weren’t you involved sooner? Know what’s happening to your grandchildren.
If the kids are in the juvenile protection system, get involved, go to the court proceedings,
try and get those children placed with you. It’s important to keep that child in family
network if possible. We can assist you. I know you’re going to have questions. My
name is Michael McGlinn. Call us, 619-291-5115.