Edmonton News Story
Was forwarded this touching story this morning.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (AP) - A seven-year-old boy was at the
enter of a Edmonton 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 Edmonton Oilers,
whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone!
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