Ok - here is the situation..... well two of them.

I have been babysitting one of my nieces three children for the last year (ages: 5 - 2 - 1) and while I have enjoyed it all some of the responsibilities of the ten hour days have been hard on my physical body due to my health problems - but never the less - I hung in there for I will always be here to help the ones I love.

A few of my doctors have just recently told me that I need to take a little R&R from the strains placed upon my life which is putting strain upon my physical body, therefore, flaring up all my medical conditions... and this moment of rest was to take place come this June 2007 - after the year of babysitting services I offered my niece to get back on her feet (free of charge) when the father left her and their children with out any extra support / high and dry.....that year was to be over with on May 30, 2007 (and) I was looking forward to the rest that waits me.

NOW!!! - the BIG problem....

I just got a call from one of my other nieces (distraught & in tears) asking me to take her two year old daughter and keep her - the father and her will sign rights over to me.... for DCF is at their house and refuses to leave until they have both the child and the father's grandfather, for some one who was angry with them called DCF and said that my niece and the child father abuse these two people and that they keep the house dirty and rarely ever have food in the house.
I personally have NEVER seen any of this!!!! And the child does not look to be missing any meals - TRUST ME.

If I do NOT take my great-niece she will be placed in a foster home.... some thing I would rather not have. And yet I am not sure if I can continue to care for younger children due to my own health problems and need for rest & sleep when my body demands it - the last year of babysitting has been rough on me and the lack of sleep I don't get.
But - what to do - I do NOT want a precious child to have to go to foster care until DCF gets their act together, for when does one complaint warrant taking a child from her home? - a home were both parents work and do the best they can for their family and for a sickly older family member they love.

SIGH!! HELP!! SIGH!! HELP!! CRY!! SIGH!! HELP!!


P.S.
Their lawyer is on his way to their house were the DCF workers waits..... for daddy & lawyer to arrive.