Having never been in this situation before it's hard to know where to look for answers. My brother has been incarcerated and his wife has decided that she never wanted their infant child and her life is ruined and she wants to give the baby up.

My husband and I are fully prepared to take my neice in and keep her as long as neccesary. We are an established family with 3 children of our own. We are a stable family and my husband has a wonderful job. I am a SAHM.

If the mother gives her child to a relative I fully expect us to be asked. I don't think this will be a battle to gain the child.

My questions are: Which state laws apply? They live in Washington and we live in Illinois. Would we be considered guardians or foster parents? What kind of things should we look into to protect the child and ourselves?

I appreciate the help and if there is another on-line resource you can point me to that's great

Mary Beth