2008 Writing D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
September
2008
Grandparents
Page: 2Eventually, the state took the children away from Borunda's daughter, but after some parental training, she again received custody of them. Now, trouble has once again arisen for the younger woman, and Borunda says her daughter is still struggling.
"There are no laws to protect children in cases like this," Borunda says. She adds that the legal cost of keeping kids away from bad parents is, as could be expected, astronomical, and that there are no lawyers in Las Cruces who will work with these types of cases. When Borunda finally tried to intervene, she was told it would cost her $2,000 just for a retainer. It might have well as been $2 million.
"The courts let parents keep their rights, even during domestic abuse cases. Sometimes the kids have to go to court, and their parents aren't around, so it is always a fight between legal and parental rights. The laws need to be strengthened so that the kids are protected," Borunda adds firmly.
The New Mexico Kinship Guardianship Act allows "a relative or other caregiver to petition for guardianship of a child who has been left behind by a parent and in care of another for 90 consecutive days." And "state policy requires that kin be considered first for out-of-home placements."
Despite its small staff and limited budget, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is incredibly busy with activities. Besides the yard sale, there were two support group meetings for grandparents — one in Las Cruces and another in Hatch — and a distribution of school supplies on a "first come, first served" basis in August. GRG also worked with the Action for Youth agency, and took a group of teenagers to a DWI checkpoint to show how the state police are working to protect drivers and others from the danger of drunken driving.
"This group is not a panacea," Vickers says. "The cycle needs to stop and one way to do that is to have good solid homes for kids. The struggle is worthwhile, and we've got to keep working on it."
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren can use your help. It can be something small, such as attending the eighth annual celebration of Grandparents Day on Sept. 6, at Young Park in Las Cruces, from noon to 4 p.m. The event will feature music, food, prize drawings and more. You can make a financial or time contribution. If you are bilingual, the small monthly newsletter could use translation from English to Spanish. To lend a hand or to ask for help yourself, call 525-1060 or email granp@zianet.com