Anybody a social worker or know anything about CPS?

So, my oldest brother, Jeff' got divorced from his wife, Ashley about a year ago because she was cheating on him. They have a daughter, Jaiden, who is 7. Ashley then moved in with her boyfriend and his 3 boys. Jeff didn't want to involve the court, so they came to a custody agreement. Jeff has Jaiden for a week, and then Ashley has her for the following week. It's been... some-what working up until now.

Ashley is a lazy, lazy broad. She's not really interested child-rearing in the slightest. Well, recently, she quit her job and just started staying at home with the kids. She doesn't DO anything, she just lays around. Now, she's started hoarding. Jeff went over there and the youngest boy threw a fit and messed up both of the doors, and now the front door is completely broken and doesn't have a doorknob and neither does the back door. It's been this way for several weeks despite my brother telling her to get it fixed. On top of that, there is a green house out in the back yard and one of the kids broke it, and there is a huge slate of glass dangling off of it. It's been that way for months. The house is also a mess, there are bugs everywhere, piles of dirty laundry and dishes that haven't been done, etc.

My brother has been trying to work with her on this, but nothing is getting done. He really does care for her, and doesn't want to have to get anyone else involved, but today was the last straw. He had a meeting with Jaiden's teacher who told him that Jaiden said that the youngest boy (he's 10) has a box of knives in his room and told her that if she went into his room again, he would hurt her. There is something wrong with this kid... Jaiden seems scared of him. She's told me in the past that he "likes evil things". *shudder*

Jeff called Ashley and told her that he was going to keep Jaiden until she got everything addressed. He knows that he can't legally keep her from him, but Ashley hasn't objected. He is considering calling CPS, but he's concerned about what that would mean for him as the father. Can anyone shed some light on this situation???

He needs to go for court house ASAP and file for emergency custody and also call CPS. Otherwise if she does it first she will have custody until they go to court.

If they have never gone to court he has just as much right to her as the mom. If it were me i would not send her back. Petition the court immediately tor full custody

I would call CPS and take her to court.
It's not going to hurt him, just protect his daughter.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Asher's mommy [Expecting :</b>" So, my oldest brother, Jeff' got divorced from his wife, Ashley about a year ago because she was cheating ... [snip!] ... CPS, but he's concerned about what that would mean for him as the father. Can anyone shed some light on this situation???"</blockquote>




He needs to go file custody also he can call the cops and have a welfare check done on the house and kids.
If he allows his child in that kind of mess it could look bad on him in court to allow his child to be in that environment. He needs to make the call.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Asher's mommy [Expecting :</b>" So, my oldest brother, Jeff' got divorced from his wife, Ashley about a year ago because she was cheating ... [snip!] ... CPS, but he's concerned about what that would mean for him as the father. Can anyone shed some light on this situation???"</blockquote>




I had an agreement like that not court ordered but one day my ex dint want to give my daughter back and I called the cops and they said they couldn't do anything unless I went to court and had it written out so he should just keep her till she goes to court to kinda mean but better safe than sorry

My first thoughts:
1. I'm wondering if Ashley and the little boy have some mental health issues that are not being addressed.
2. As a social worker, I'd really advise your brother call CPS. The living conditions at home scream "unsafe", and I it seems like the youngest one is left to his own devices. Sounds like he has some issues going on. Seems like there are a number of bad things waiting to happen. Best to call CPS and alert them for the protection of these little kids. Hopefully they can advise your brother, and should CPS get involved, maybe they can link Ashley and the child to some services.

It wouldn't mean anything for him, they might want to do a home check, but that shouldn't be a big deal. He should also go down and file immediate emergency custody. He is in the right keeping her away from a kid with knives that threatened to hurt her.

I'd be calling. If its that bad then he has to look out ffor the wwell being of his daughter and honestly by the sounds of it I'd be concerned for the wwell beibg of the oother kids in the home aas well.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Amberchik78:</b>" If they have never gone to court he has just as much right to her as the mom. If it were me i would not send her back. Petition the court immediately tor full custody"</blockquote>




This is what the police told me better said :-)

The teacher is a mandated reporter and should have reported the knives information to CPS.

Quoting HamHam:" My first thoughts: 1. I'm wondering if Ashley and the little boy have some mental health issues that ... [snip!] ... Hopefully they can advise your brother, and should CPS get involved, maybe they can link Ashley and the child to some services."

I've always thought his ex-wife has serious issues that she's never had addressed. As for the little boy, I would definitely think so as well. I think that on top of her issues, she's become depressed which has made it all worse, too.

Quoting HamHam:" The teacher is a mandated reporter and should have reported the knives information to CPS."

Jeff was horribly angry that she hadn't said anything. Apparently the teacher heard about this a week ago and waited until today to tell him anything.

Thanks for the advice, ladies.