Woman Declines Custody of 3 Nieces as Mother's Incurable Illness Upends Care
Updated
Updated · Twisted Sifter · Jun 15
Woman Declines Custody of 3 Nieces as Mother's Incurable Illness Upends Care
1 articles · Updated · Twisted Sifter · Jun 15
Summary
A 29-year-old woman says she cannot take custody of her three nieces after her mother—who has cared for them for two years—developed an incurable illness that severely limits her mobility and energy.
Three girls aged 11, 8 and 6 had already been split up in the system for more than a year after their mother lost custody about three years ago, making the prospect of foster care again especially painful.
Low income and space are the main barriers: she and her husband recently bought a small two-bedroom townhouse for their own family of three and say they cannot sustainably absorb three more children.
She proposed having her mother move closer so she could help day to day, but her mother rejected that over the girls' school stability and difficulty changing doctors during a healthcare crunch.
The dispute has widened into a family rift, with her mother and sister calling her heartless, while she argues the decision must reflect what her immediate family can realistically support.