Sad story with a happy ending.
Vancouver, Canada (AP) -A seven year old boy was at the center of a
Vancouver 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 the 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 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 Vancouver
Canucks, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.
