I DC what anyone says CPS is a broken system their goal is too keep families together which is great sometimes they just follow and just want child okay…they may offer parenting classes…counseling or say they will…but may now js…sometimes these children are placed in foster care worse than where they came from…some have been molested and murdered in other people’s care so need to be careful when you place these calls…maybe parents need educated about lice…get the product needed and treat it yourself and see if they will continue until its resolved…
1 Like
Prove the parents unfit, keep reporting them if you have to. Someone needs to be this child’s voice
1 Like
You need to contact CPS asap
1 Like
Consult with a family attorney, explain everything including your attempts to speak with the parents. Document everything.
1 Like
As a child who had head lice and neglected I can tell you these parents will not care. There’s nothing you can do do make them care either. I would have someone do a welfare check and get cps involved
14 Likes
You would have to call Children and youth and have them do an investigation and make them aware that you are willing to foster and possibly adopt. But just letting you know it is NOT an easy road. Be ready for a fight. And CYS always try to keep the family together before ripping a child out of a home.
8 Likes
Have you treated the child’s hair and offered bug bombs to her parents? Or offered to help them launder everything in their home to help kill the infestation?
When my daughter first came to me she has lice that took about 3 months of treatment several times a week before we were able to get rid of them completely and I have a degree in cosmetology.
You didn’t really mention what kind of relationship you have with the parents other than your opinion of them being lazy. Maybe they just need some help? Times are tough for everyone and maybe some family support to tackle these issues together would be a better tactic.
Only helping because you have legal rights seems odd to me. If you care about her then I’m confused why paper documents would be the only reason you’re able to care for her. If the parents are comfortable with you taking her just pick up guardianship forms, have them notarized, and then file with the courts.
Otherwise, good luck, and I commend your fiancé for trying to help. You might take some time to decide if custody of an additional child is what’s in everyone’s best interest though or if there are lesser but equally valuable and less damaging options.
1 Like
Sounds like neglect poor child help her and get her out of there before it gets any worse for her
If it’s so bad then do something about it. Give the kid a lice treatment and if this is consistent neglect then go to the courts and petition for emergency custody
Call Dfacs and report it…
If she’s in your house with lice, they’re in your house. It doesn’t matter if you leave with your kids. They’re a pain, but harmless and pretty easy to treat you just have to put a little time in to comb them all out. Do you think they would give up custody? If they sign away rights it will be much quicker and easier, otherwise you would have to fight in court. Or you could get custodial guardianship.
3 Likes
I’m not entirely convinced this woman cares any more then the mother, seems more concerned it will spread to Her kids getting out or they would allow the 3 year old ( also most 3 yr old are not even fully potty trained let alone know perfect hygiene) into their home to shower ready at least to help small child but can only see this child at a park… But yeah ok
11 Likes
Have you treated at your home? Why not treat it? They have amazing ones now that treat eggs and adults and help prevent for a period of time. I would do it a couple times and then after a bath use coconut hair oil. It’s good for the hair too. It’s tough, I wonder as parents what their life was like. That’s where my mind first goes. If you aren’t taught, you don’t know. Has there been a conversation, a serious heart to heart of your concern and to genuinely care and offer support and help to the parents? Sometimes people just don’t know any better, it doesn’t make it right, but there may be a reason. Offering support and information on resources is always a good start. I saw information regarding an offer of having the child. I don’t personally like sneaky things. Bring up front is Always best and being honest. If being up front doesn’t work and they dont see the issue still you can apply for a temporary emergency custody order. I advocate for families and work directly in the field. Based on being a family member it should be fine. You can even see if they agree to share joint. I always believe to try with the parent first. Sometimes they just need help. If you have her some of the time and the parents can spend time and engage it’s always nice for the child.I see people resulting to the ministry, the ministry is no good for families or children. If you can avoid them, I absolutely would.
Call cps and file for emergency custody.
1 Like
We filed for emergency temporary custody of our niece and now have permanent custody. CPS is a nightmare so we didn’t even bother with that route. Document EVERYTHING if you want to file for custody so you have some ground to stand on. Dates times issues etc
2 Likes
You might have to document everything and take them to court
Have you tried treating her for lice or talking to them about what needs to be done to get rid of them? Maybe they don’t have the money or know how to treat for them. You could offer to help if you love this little girl as much as you claim.
3 Likes
I always had lice growing up, my parents were doing everything they could to rid them but it was a constant battle (got it always from school)… head lice is never a reason to call a parent neglectful…. Take the parents to goodwill and churches for clothes for their little one…. Help to solve problems instead of making more
10 Likes
Just based on the info you provided, unless her parents are willing to give her to you to raise there’s probably going to be more hurdles involved then you believe. Like, you can’t just take away someone’s kid, family or not. First you would have to prove the child is neglected or not being cared for. You may consider filing a report with CPS first. I understand you may not want your girls around this child because of the lice, so for now maybe keep their distance until you can discuss a plan with her parents to get it under control.
1 Like
Here’s a thought, buy her a pair of shoes and get the medicine that gets rid of lice and help her anyway you can! Not just try to take her from her parents(which by the way won’t happen because of lice)
4 Likes
Treat her for the lice. Tell the parents she has it. Staying at the park isn’t going to keep anyone from getting it. File for temporary guardianship.
Only way to do is have cps involved and cps will file in court if you want fight for custody is cps. That’s what I did and won.
Just because you call Dcfs and child gets taken does NOT mean you will get custody of this child. The system is beyond broken. They truly do not care about the kids.
Petition the court for custody of child.
2 Likes
Take photos/videos of everything and of her everyday in the conditions she is in… get a journal and weight everything down everyday with the date and times threw the day it’s happening and take them to court for her. They should be ashamed of themselves!
Turn them into srs or child service
Yeah that’s what I was thinking, more worried about her kids getting bugs
3 Likes
And also having lice does not justify taking custody of a child from their parents. If that were the case 75% of children would be taken of their parents at one point in their childhood. And an FYI, lice prefer clean hair!!!
8 Likes
Cps and family attorney work together on ur side. Good luck
Lice issue can be safely resolved in a few hours -
1 jar of mayonnaise and a shower cap - old school but it was really cheap and absolutely 100% worked when my 3 girls got it from school. Get a lice comb and they die and slide right out every one of them nasty little bugs. Send an encouraging note home to mom on how you did it (she might not know how to fix it 
)
Clothes & shoes when she with you:
Thrift store her a few outfits and shoes that fit/ keep anything you buy her at your house (send nothing home at all) have her wash up and put on clean well fitting clothes & shoes as soon as she arrives at your home. She’ll always consider aunties house a safe and comfy place to visit.
CPS is a horrible idea I think because what if they remove her from parents and do not place her with you and she goes into the system- smh. Sometimes all you can do is provide a safe happy place when with you.
Traumatizing an entire family because you don’t think their parenting properly to your standards is more hurtful than helpful.
Document everything as you go … No matter which way you deal with it. Record dates, photos if possible Etc.
There is a high likelihood that her parents will pretend she was never neglected and you will need to be able to back up your stand. Good luck x
You have to prove that the child’s parents are unfit. Contact DCFS and a lawyer.
File a report with CPS. It will at the very least trigger an investigation. It’s one thing for kids to get lice. My one daughter used to constantly get it when she was younger, no matter how we treated her hair or the house. She was picking it up elsewhere and bringing it home. But for that baby to not have clothes and shoes that fit, not be cleaned and for her parents to just not care enough to treat her hair is sad. File a report and if she is taken from her parents care, step up. CPS and the court system would rather place a child with family than into foster care.
Maybe get a lawyer to fight for her
Start treating her for lice it can cause infection take her to stat care or some other er or doctor to get it documented and to make sure it’s not doing damage contact a lawyer to see if you can’t file for emergency custody and document everything
1 Like
Lice for prolonged periods of time is not good. I would definitely call CPS is it affecting her skin at all?
1 Like
What does the parents say about it have you asked them . There is no reason to neglect your child like that. My son got lice when he was 11 months. And the first thing I did was pick them out of his hair ! Every second I got I took them all out because I was not going to shave him & sure enough all of them were out my daughter hasn’t gotten them thank god but again a child should not have to go with un treated lice or even clothes that does not fit . If I feel horrible when things are tight & shoes don’t fit I can only imagine a child . I would take them to court . Of just do a “wellness” check & adopt her
1 Like
Consult a family law attorney asap
Call and have them do a well check
1 Like
Get a lawyer ask for an emergency interim custody order and go from there iv just gone threw the same thing
1 Like
File. a petition for emergency custody at your local courthouse. Bring everything documented that you have, call cps, and start pretreatment for luce around your home. Do a treatment on her and immediately wash her bedding, do another treatment in a week and wash the bedding again, they should stay gone by then. Good luck! Sounds like you are the loving home she so desperately needs. 
love and light
2 Likes
Lice is very hard to get rid of long hair or any hair for that matter but CPS is your answer if you have the heart the guts
2 Likes
It sounds like none of this is going to be enough to take the child from the parents. You can ask or offer to take her in. I hate lice. Had it a million times as a kid and was treated q million times for it but it spreads so easy with 3 girls in public school we just caught it a lot. I wouldn’t turn a child away just because they had it though. I would comb it everytime I had her and try my best to talk the parents into handling it. 
sounds like she needs any extra love she can get.
4 Likes
If y’all have known she’s been neglected the why tf haven’t y’all done something about it instead of letting her suffer this long ?
4 Likes
I don’t know much about custody but if you use hairspray in your kids hair it will help keep them lice free. I used hair spray every day when I was growing up in school and only got it once and that’s because I stopped using it. Lice don’t like the smell or stickiness of hairspray.
2 Likes
But yes get a attorney and a call CPS
Is this child in nursery?? As I’m sure her school would of noticed this by now if it’s as bad as you say it is. I would like to hear from her parents because as far as I’m concerned there are 2 sides to every story
2 Likes
Honestly, just ask them for custody, tell them until they get on their feet and offer a helping hand in caring for the child. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth the try and if they don’t approve then go to family court.
1 Like
Not yours sweets! NOT yours!
1 Like
Get Legal Aid through the State you live in. It is free counseling if you have a low enough income. Call CPS and let them know you will foster her until you get custody. Is there another person that would fight you on this?? Like a grandparent?? Were they legally married?
Get lice free spray and just do her hair when she comes over. Hopefully it’ll help get rid of it. You just spray on and leave.
2 Likes
I don’t think they will take kids away from parents for having lice. It will have a worse emotional impact on her to loose her parents. I consider myself a very good mom and my daughter only started to wipe herself now when she turned 4.
3 Likes
Start with talking to the parents about giving you guardianship. If they aren’t willing to do that then child services should be called.
8 Likes
What 3 year old wipes themself? Wtf? Also, lice can be treated without shaving her head. Call CPS, document EVERYTHING. Shouldn’t be too hard based on what you’ve said so far.
8 Likes
If you wash her hair with rid and comb out the nits.Then put a little oil on her hair you can help prevent her from getting them again.I kept vo5 on my daughter’s hair while she was in school,the nits can’t stick to the hair,it doesn’t have to be real oily.
3 Likes
3/4 year olds are still learning to wipe! And anyone can get lice. Are the parents struggling financially? If so then maybe you should try helping them. This made it sound like you care more about your kids hair then you do this other child. Who isn’t just any kid she’s family. Why do I feel if this was her own niece she would be doing 10x more for this child and family.
19 Likes
Both parents would need to give up custody. Since the child is related its a possibility as long as the parents are for it. Or if the dhs takes the child but they won’t completely take custody until its determined the parents aren’t making progress.
If kid Is in yalls house then the lice will get in coats, towels and blankets
1 Like
I got a lawyer and took custody of my sister. She gave us lice but who cares that’s nothing.
The mother was jumping from man to man, even a convicted sex offender, out of school for years, and sometimes my sister was dropped off like Labor Day and not picked up till thanksgiving. Plus mother tried committing suicide in front of child, also made threats to drive semi truck into a brick wall with my child sister. Took a long time and a good lawyer for custody, I got full guardianship and no visitation.
CPS said she was allowed to date and live with a sex offender with my sister as long as the sex offender and my sister are never in the same room together.
A year of neglect yet nobody has said or done anything??? 
Yall could of treated the lice…etc
Vit if this neglect is ongoing as you say a call should of been made.
4 Likes
It sounds like you need to involve cps
5 Likes
So y’all have stood by for one year and watched this baby be neglected and have done nothing but handed down some clothes and bought a pair of shoes? No calls to CPS nothing? Poor girl she’s being let down by everyone. 
I’m not a huge fan of CPS but this girl has had literal BUGS living on her head for a year. Something needs to be done.
13 Likes
Seems like you’re more concerned with how the child’s neglect affects you… than the neglected child.
17 Likes
Cps will not do a single thing about lice. They don’t view it as neglect.
1 Like
You have a make a report to DCF
Have authorities do an unexpected child well check
Take pictures
Save receipts of what was bought for her
I mean. It sounds really bad
But you have to go thru how they say chain of commands
File a suit against the parents in family court
Idk what else to say
As far as the lice
Did you try to get rid of them?
Did you buy something to get control of that situation?
Because if you didn’t
You’re just as bad
Complaining and not doing something about it
I understand she not you kid or even blood related
But if you have that much concern
You go all out like she one of yours
I pray all goes well
5 Likes
Take her to a place that specializes in lice removal when my daughter got it at school years ago that’s the only way to get rid of it but everyone in the house has to get treated!
1 Like
Get her take a jar of Vaseline coat her hair take her to your house it will take a couple days wash it out then comb out the nits. File a emergency custody order. Where the hell are the grandparents?
2 Likes
Wash her hair. Comb it out. Help with the need
1 Like
My four kids had lice many years ago and I about lost my mind. Saying that rationally I realize it’s not as bad as my mind was telling me but I was seriously almost committed. Saying that more is obviously going on than live. She sounds like her needs are being ignored. Are the parents clueless of generally ignorant of what parenting entails. Maybe a push to do better will ignite them to do better. I would also treat the child’s hair. Honestly if it’s that bad I probably quips shave her and get rid of them and start fresh. At three she won’t care too much. I hope you are able to get them help or figure this out. It’s sweet of you to be willing to take her in. Hugs and love.
Get the better lice treatment. I cant for the life of me remember what it’s called now…my kids are older now. But we had a lice issue that lasted like over 2 months until I realized the stuff the pharmacist was selling me, the lice were immune to it! Resaultz was the name of the expensive one I bought and it killed all the lice. It was amazing. Just go buy her the better stuff and bring it to her mom and tell her how to do it. And then remind her to do it again In 2 weeks. Remind her to vaccume and put the vaccum outside and put everything else in the dryer. Literally If you do all those things, then you have helped her as much as you possibly can. If she won’t take your help or she won’t do it, then you have no choice but to report it. But before reporting your family, just try your absolute best with what I suggested so when you look in the mirror, you know you tried everything and you tried your best but did what you had to do to make sure the child was cared for. She doesn’t deserve to live with lice. That’s for sure
Medicaid covers the hair wash to get rid of them but the parent would need to call her Dr to request it.
Maybe there are mental health issues and they just need some help? I don’t understand why you would want to have custody of her to help take care of her. Clearly that baby needs someone to care about her whether it’s a legal guardian or not. Why not just let her stay as much as she can, treat her hair and treat her as your own? Bugs are not that big of a deal. Go OCD on her hair a few days in a row and keep putting tea tree oil in it and make sure all her clothes and bedding is washed in super hot water and that should fix her up. If you must go the legal route… as everyone else has said, make sure to document every single thing and contact a lawyer. Try for the lawyer and ask advice before CPS because once they get involved it could turn the situation now into a worse one.
2 Likes
The c guy old has 2 parents? Where are they?
2 Likes
emergency custody, have her over to stay the night and file the papers. You get to keep the child until your court date. Document EVERYTHING. send complaints in text so that you can show judge the response or lack of from the parents, they will get a chance to still fight for their child. Also there is a temporary 6 month guardianship if you can convince them to sign it in best Interest of the child. That would buy you time to come up with funding for custody or adoption as well as home studies etc
File for emergency temp custody
Why don’t y’all just treat her for lice? And most 3 year olds don’t wipe themselves yet. It sounds like her parents are low income and possibly a bit overwhelmed, but I personally don’t feel like the issues you’ve brought up warrant taking this child from her parents. Most of the issues can be relatively easily resolved and taking the kid out of the home and rehoming her would be very traumatic.
18 Likes
I’d be calling cps and having them pay a visit. Im sure something will be done. Google “girl died because of lice” and you will see how many parents have been charged because their child passed of their neglect.
If the parents won’t sign over custody call cps & petition for custody.
Its not a shame to get lice, it’s a shame to keep them. A year is WAY to long to not have solved the issue. Not having the bare necessities like proper fitting clothes and shoes, is pathetic also. I get not being financially able, but come on. They need to swallow their pride and ask for help if they can’t afford it.
2 Likes
Why are all of you bashing her?
Hire a lawyer, call CPS. Get started on paperwork.
Not that long ago a girl died from lice infestation, she was on the news.
10 Likes
My child is well taken care of and has had lice 3 times just this year from school. I myself have gotten it from her. Lice is contiguous yes, but it is treatable. As far as the rest of your story, absolutely speak to your fiance/ family and see how you can help. If you still feel bad about the situation then call someone.
2 Likes
Address the problem. If CPS doesn’t help, then go file an emergency placement petition at your local courthouse.
I have permanent guardianship of three of my grandsons. I know other families that have placement of nieces and nephews, and other young family members. Including their children’s siblings.
Never believe it is not worth the fight for an innocent childs life.
3 Likes
You seem to care about their hair more then that poor little girls life….
5 Likes
I would file for emergency custody & keep her. Treat her hair & fight for custody. That poor child deserves to be taken care of & loved.
4 Likes
Get social services involved this lil girl is being neglected, next time she’s at your house treat her hair and get rid of the nits, log times and dates etc you have her and maybe take pics of her when she’s wearing clothes that are too small, take pics of her hair riddled in nits, document as much as you can!!
1 Like
Get CPS involved. Or go to the court house and see what steps you need to take to get her… poor baby… I hope you can get her. It’s a shame that she has to suffer… shame on the parents. Sounds like she needs to be taken away. Best of luck…
1 Like
Have you tried delousing her yourself? I hope it’s more than concern for your own kids that’s driving this post. CPS?
2 Likes
coming from experience, a lot depends on the state you’re in. it is also easier to get legal guardianship than custody. you need to get a notebook, and document every incident. time, date, situation, etc. you also need to start keeping all receipts of things you purchase the child to support them.
While I can sorta see your point. My question is “why haven’t YOU just done her hair?” It’s not that complicated. If it’s been in her hair THAT LONG, and you’ve known about it,… I’ll just leave that there…
3 Likes
You can not do much call DHS and report it they will investigate but be prepared for a angry family if they find out. If she is removed then you can apply as foster parents
My niece kept lice because her mother refused to treat it. I would put argan oil (she still does at 16 in high school) in it. I pick up the one n only brand from Sally’s and it’s always worked. Also would always keep her hair up as it’s always been to her waist. You could treat her hair while she’s in your care but if she’s going back to a home that hasn’t been cleaned she will just continue to get it. The best treatment I found for long hair that WORKS was Lice MD! As far as gaining care if this is this case they may sign over care to you without a fight if you ask.
1 Like
Get a lawyer an hour after them for her it’s that simple to do. Prove them to be unfit parents. It’s that simple to start the process. Now the process itself isn’t easy but your lawyer that you get will help you an guide you through it all. An honestly document everything from how she looks when she visits you to how she is when she leaves. Also if you know she has lice treat it an treat her hair everytime she comes to visit you guys.
2 Likes
Take her to a lice treatment place. They will get rid of it once and for all.
U can get lice walking past someone… why don’t u not be so judgmental they might not have the funds to get the treatment. U sound rude and I don’t even know u. And some kids take longer to learn how to wipe. Don’t act like your family is perfect. I promise u they aren’t.
A severe headlice infestation is actually child abuse. If it’s severe enough, it can make her anemic. It’s rare, but it’s happened.
Has he contacted CPS
Y’all act like lice is just that easy to get rid of. Yes she can treat the child’s hair at her house but if the parents aren’t doing the part on their side she is just gonna get lice again. But you legit sound like you don’t really care about the child just what she could do to your kids, giving them lice, if you’re gonna take her you better make sure she is gonna be loved and cared for at your house. She’s 3 she’s probably not potty trained yet so cut the child some freaking slack. And if you haven’t talked to the parents about these things and asked if they need help then you’re definitely in the wrong. If you have get a lawyer
4 Likes
Report to child service s n tell them ur willy to take child b get them out that place
1 Like
Document everything. Look through all your messages and pictures create a file on google docs print one out. Call cps and put in papers to get her out of there.
You can file for guardianship or custody. It will cost money so be prepared for that. Go to the probate judge and tell them you want guardianship papers- they will point you in the right direction. They cannot give you legal advice though. As long as no one contest the guardianship then you’re good to go in 90 days. I just did this with my 10 year old niece
Get the leave in spray for lice. Send her home with some tea tree and pepoermint oil shampoo. Dollar General has some shampoo for $3 -$4. I use it in my daughter’s hair to keep her from getting lice at school. Wash hair with it once every 2 to 3 days and keeps them out. Or can just spray her head with hairspray to keep them out every time she goes somewhere. Can try to get custody,but it is hard to get a case against the parents. Next door neighbor had kids with constant lice and got their lights and water cut off,as well as were starving the kids all day. Took the school calling 3 times to get them sent to grandparent’s house. They have to get so many repeat calls to file a case…no matter how bad conditions.
1 Like