[CanadaSVT]

An old one but still applies....

Toronto Court Case

"Toronto Court Ruling"
from the Globe and Mail Newspaper Toronto,Canada (AP)

A seven year old boy was at the centre of a Toronto
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
the 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 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 the Toronto Maple Leafs, whom the boy firmly believes are
not capable of beating anyone.