Today's news story

[paramedicmike]

The Boston Globe

August 28, 2006

Roxbury MA (AP) - A seven-year-old boy was at the center of a Boston

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

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

Boston Red Sox, whom the boy firmly believes is not capable of beating anyone.

My apologies to BoSox fans. Believe me, I feel your pain! I don't care who wins so long as it's not the Yankees.

-be safe.

[AZCEP]

Could be worse. Could have been the Cubs.