Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Arkansas

Q: I have had a child in my care for the past 6 years. I am not the childs biological father, the child was removed by DHS.

Do I have any legal courses I can take to get visitation rights to this child or have him returned to my care? The mother volunrary placed him with me when he was 2 and he is now 8.

1 Lawyer Answer

A: To your question on visitation rights: You should be able to get court-ordered visitation because you have stood in loco parentis to the child. You may also be able to get custody or even adopt the child, depending on the particular facts of your case.

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