Judge gives 7-year-old right to decide

[SysOp]

DetroitMi (AP) - A seven-year old boy was at the center of a Wayne
County 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 regulation
requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest 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 and said 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 the child
welfare officials, the
judge granted temporary custody to the Detroit Lions, whom the boy
firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.