:(
I have a 13 yr old step daughter who has come completly out of control and is becoming a danger to her younger siblings and to property we have tried counsling and it is becomign out of and both my wife wishes to know if the is any thing we can do with the law to either have her become a ward of the state so my younger childeren will not be subject to her abuse as well as my wife and I .

:(
I have a 13 yr old step daughter who has come completly out of control and is becoming a danger to her younger siblings and to property we have tried counsling and it is becomign out of and both my wife wishes to know if the is any thing we can do with the law to either have her become a ward of the state so my younger childeren will not be subject to her abuse as well as my wife and I .

Sorry. You don't get to dump your daughter on the state when you are done with her.

Wow.... I am actually a little disgusted by the thought of someone deciding to turn over their child to foster care. Yeah, I am sure that your wife is okay with this... yeah.

Anyway, try counseling instead.

Actually, you may be able to find something to help you in the CA Welfare and Institutions Code (section 601-618.5)

www.aroundthecapitol.com/code/contents.html?sec=wic&codesection=601-618.5 (http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/code/contents.html?sec=wic&codesection=601-618.5)

I understand this concept to a certain degree. I had a difficult child who was enough to make me rip out all of my hair, and it was 'ruining' my younger children. My solution? Intensive therapy. And stick to it and the things that they tell you to do. My son is now a completely different kid. And honestly, the best of the 3 now. Had I not gotten him into counseling, he probably would have become a serial killer. No joke. But my last thought on this is: Shame on your wife for wanting to dump her own flesh and blood. Get the girl some serious help, even a live in facility. But for God's sake, you don't just give your rights to them up because of behavior. And one more note. Behavior is learned. Someone showed her that behavior somewhere, kids aren't just born bad. Your wife will never forgive herself if you give her up instead of helping her.

The At Risk Youth Program is addressed in the link that I posted. It's purpose is "to provide a swift and local service response to youth behavioral problems". It is designed and developed by a group consisting of a "representative of juvenile court, probation department,, the district attorney, public defender, the county DSS, the county education department, county health and mental services, and local and community based youth and family service providers". It's not so much to "dump an unruly child on the state" as it is getting some help BEFORE she becomes a ward of the state.

Perfect suggestion.

Therapy is the way to go... rather than just to make someone else take care of it.