Q: Can I be forced to continue financially and legally supporting my 18 year old if he's still in high school?
Long story short: He sexually abused my daughter, threatened to kill me over a misunderstanding, has been convicted (juvenile), is on probation in a sex-offender treatment facility for the last year and a half, and will turn 18 March 24th of this year. He already told me he will most likely reoffend if he returns.
He won't graduate until late May, wants to go into the military but will have no income (they won't let him work) or a place to stay to finish school.
Can I be forced to bring him back here, go live with him until he graduates or be held liable for negligence if I refuse further support once he turns 18?
This has torn my family apart for nearly 2 years and I feel I've done everything I can as a mother to get him to 18 without losing my personal self-control and beating the crap out of him for hurting her. I don't want to lose my other two kids because I chose self-preservation and that of my other children by "abandoning" him after he turns 18.
A: If you think he will harm your daughter again if he returns, you CANNOT let him back in the home. You may need to contact Child Protective Services, and let them know the situation. Perhaps they can find a foster home for him. Financially, you and his father are still responsible for him. CPS may or may not seek child support from you and/or his father.
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