Roxbury MA (AP) - A seven-year-old boy was at the center of
a Boston 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 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 Boston Red Sox, whom the boy firmly believes is not
capable of beating anyone.