BALTIMORE (AP) - A seven-year-old Baltimore, Maryland boy was at the center
of a Baltimore 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 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 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 Baltimore Ravens, whom
the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.