Philadelphia (AP) - A seven-year-old boy was at the center of a
Philadelphia, Pa 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
Philadelphia
Eagles, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating
anyone.
That was good!
