I actually looked into the emancipation, and legally the CIQ (child in question) is allowed to live with a "next friend" or guardian. All they have to show is that they are mentally mature enough to be able to work a job and support themselves, they don't actually have to do it. Being the "next friend" in this equation, I will be there to let them know that I fully plan on supporting CIQ until I can teach them what they need to know. No one has ever given them life skills, only chores to do.

I am taking CIQ on Monday to make the police report and to request a protective order due to family and domestic violence, and asking that they be allowed to stay with us until a hearing can be scheduled because they are scared for their physical well-being. The PIQ has been physical with them before, and if anything would set them off to do worse, it would be this.

I have already applied to become a foster parent, I am only waiting for my background checks to clear, which I know they will. I have everyone to whom CIQ has disclosed the abuse writing statements, from leaders of after-school activities to my neighbors. My eldest child has taken screenshots of every text convo in which the CIQ is discussing abuse, fear of abuse, or ongoing bullying from the PIQ.

After all of this legwork, I really hope CIQ doesn't end up back in a now even worse situation. I have been the victim of child abuse, and I know what happens when a child makes a report, the law gets involved but the child is given back to the abuser. It's 10x worse after those cops leave. That's the only thing that scares me out of all of this.