Is there anything I can do??

ColleenC

Her father is not capable of caring for her either if he sends her to a place where he knows she has access to drugs and is in physical danger every time. 

Why not offer to keep Angela for a while, until your sister pulls her life back together?  You could nicely offer to keep Angela.  If she declines, then tell her that you know what all is going on, & that she has 2 options.  Either leave Angela with you, or force you to call CPS.  The child doesn't need to be in that type of situation.

i agree with the people here, especially what bevolasvegas said.  You can call CPS (CAS here in Canada) and report it anonymously.  And if you were to call them and they took Angela away from both parents, you could always file for adoption.  I work for a lawyer and we have had a grandmother adopt her granddaughter, as well as a sister adopt her younger sister, it can happen.  You may want to consult with a lawyer about what to do, they would probably have good contacts at CPs and many lawyers have to do pro bono work, in case money is an issue (not saying it is, I am saying if it is) or most lawyers do free consultations. 

If the ather isn't really bothered by what the mother is doing with the child, then someone else will have to step in.  Someone said that if the daughter finds out when she is older she may get mad.  But what if she doesn't get older?  And quite frankly, she would probably be thankful that someone stepped in to do something, rather than just leave her in that situation, where who knows what the outcome would be.

If you don't want to call, is there anyone else that you know that knows both of them that could?  If you call anonymously, then CPS HAS to by law keep it anonymous, meaning, if it ever went to court or through the court process, and if the record of CPS was summoned, CPS would have the obligation to black out your name and any other identifying details about you.  This I know for sure happens here, and I am sure it happens there as well, you can call and ask them. 

I hope this works out for you.  If you need anything, or have any questions, the lawyer I work for doesn't practice in the USA, but she specializes in family law and I am sure she wouldn't mind answering any questions you might have.  You can PM me if you like

The way that Jennifer and Chris are going, I don't know what to do.  They haven't even filed for divorce or anything yet.  Chris has Angela Friday through Monday.  Jennifer gets her Tuesday night until Friday morning.  Chris said that he doesn't want a "battle" between him and Jennifer but I'd rather see a battle than go to Angela's funeral.  Chris is a great parent to Angela in every way except that he lets her go with Jennifer, knowing how Jennifer is.  I guess that no one else in my family is going to help me.  I have talked with my dad and he said that since no paperwork has been filed, then there is nothing that can be done.  It's really bothering me.  I cannot fight this war on my own.  If I have to testify against Jennifer, I will.  I know that I will never hear from her again but I have to stand up for what is right as far as Angela goes.  I have also noticed when Angela is with Jennifer, she is a totally different child.  She gets mean when she is with Jennifer.  She will scream and hit Madison and she has never done that when she is with Chris.  She is like a split personality.  As soon as she is back with her dad, Angela is just as nice and sweet.  I don't know what goes on when she is with Jennifer.  I probably don't want to know.  All I know is that Angela is not safe.  I would gladly keep Angela for a while until her parents can get their act together.  I love that little girl.  I cannot imagine what life would be like without her.  I have told my dad that if Jennifer does anything to hurt Angela, I will be going to jail for assault. 

Bullymom

I have talked with my dad and he said that since no paperwork has been filed, then there is nothing that can be done. 

That's exactly what I thought.  I asked dad because he has been to school and knows more about the law than I do.  He could be wrong.  He said that the first thing that the CPS is going to ask is "Who has custody of the child"  Really no one has full custody.  They're just going by a verbal agreement that they each "share" Angela. 

As I said earlier, there is stuff you can do, no paperwork has to be filed to call cps and get them out there, we deal with this all the time at the law office I work at.  Call CPS and talk to them, see what your options are, they will have the child's best interests in mind and I am sure they will want to help you with her

Have u talked to yoour sister?  Sometimes a good smack in the head by someone who loves them will wake them up....take Angela from her.... tell her either she gives her up or she goes to jail for child neglect...and if the hubby isn't doing anything about all of this he doesn't need the child either.  It's harsh I know but if you don't get tough with her something bad IS going to happen.  If it were my sister, I would just tell her, look, I'm taking the kids until you can get your life straight.  If she says no then tell her you will have to do it legally and that means getting the police and childrens services involved.  NO drug addict wants the police digging around in their lives.

BoBo143

NO drug addict wants the police digging around in their lives.

That's true.  I have tried to talk to Jennifer in the past and it does no good.  She just gets pissed off and blows up.  I even told her before she actually left Chris to leave Angela with him.  She said that she "didn't want people to think bad of her".  People are going to think worse of her if she hurts Angela.

Just my observations and experiences here, but I think you need to approach it very carefully. When people feel backed into a corner and threatened, they often become so defensive, they don't listen to reason. I would try to talk to her very lovingly (even if you're not feeling loving) and try to explain all the benefits of her allowing you to keep Angela "for awhile". Tell her that the doors open to come over and spend time with her, but it'll allow her (your sister) to focus on herself and getting her things taken care of (even if that means partying). You might even say "look, I know this is a rough time and no one is going to fault you for needing a break to sort things out". If she sees it as a non-threatening offer and can see some benefits for herself, she might agree. If she sees that folks are out to take her daughter away, she's going to fight hard.  Now - if none of that works, then I too would call CPS and find out what my options were.  Good luck and you're doing the right thing by looking out for Angela

Well, I just talked to Chris and I got a little piece of good news.  He and Jennifer are going to get their papers drawn up next week and Jennifer told Chris that she is going to let him have sole custody of Angela.  I think that Jennifer wants those papers to make things legal, so she can disappear.  She is wanting to marry this other guy for some reason and she said that she is going to have his baby.  WTF??  She doesn't even want Angela yet she is going to have another baby.  I've got a feeling that she is going to do the same things to this guy.  Marry him, have a baby, then hit the road and leave the baby with him. 

Absolutely, tell him to contact a lawyer!  Sorry to hear about your sister's divorce, it's never fun to hear stuff like that, especially when children are involved.  Been there.  But, if she is definitely putting her daughter in harms way and he can prove it (whether he actually has to prove it or not) then I would definitely talk to my attorney and demand full custody.  If she wants custody, then she will have to hire herself an attorney and fight for it.  Sorry, that's about the only way that you can get through to some people, and unfortunately, Jennifer seems to be pretty negligent in her actions and maybe the reality of losing her daughter would be enough to scare her straight.  Good Luck!  Again, sorry to hear this...really!!!

Bullymom

Well, I just talked to Chris and I got a little piece of good news.  He and Jennifer are going to get their papers drawn up next week and Jennifer told Chris that she is going to let him have sole custody of Angela.  I think that Jennifer wants those papers to make things legal, so she can disappear.  She is wanting to marry this other guy for some reason and she said that she is going to have his baby.  WTF??  She doesn't even want Angela yet she is going to have another baby.  I've got a feeling that she is going to do the same things to this guy.  Marry him, have a baby, then hit the road and leave the baby with him. 

Bullymom

She is wanting to marry this other guy for some reason and she said that she is going to have his baby.  WTF??  She doesn't even want Angela yet she is going to have another baby.