Disturbing but true

[The Caretaker]

A seven-year-old boy was at the centre of a 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 closest 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

Liverpool Football Club, whom the boy firmly believes are incapable of

beating anyone.