A seven-year-old boy was at the center of a courtroom
drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over
whom 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 Republic
of Ireland soccer team , whom the boy firmly believes
are not capable of
beating anyone.