A seven-year-old boy was at the centre of a 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.
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
England football team, who the boy firmly believes are not
capable of beating anyone.
0
