Oakland, CA (AP) - A seven-year-old boy was at the center of a
Oaklandcourtroom 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 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 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 Oakland Raiders, whom the boy firmly believes is not
capable of beating anyone.
