Unprecedented step by Charlottesville judge....
Charlottesville, VA-- A seven-year-old boy was
at the center of a Charlottesville 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.
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 Virginia Cavaliers, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.
There