Cheektowaga, NY (AP) -
A seven-year-old boy was at the center of an
>> Erie County courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court
>> ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy had 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 Buffalo Bills, whom the boy firmly believes
are
>> not capable of beating anyone !