Can my parents take my baby away since I’m underage?
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Can my parents take my baby away since I’m underage?
I am currently 10 weeks and 5 days pregnant. I’m 16 years old my boyfriend is 19 and my parents knew we were dating. My mother told me if I ended up pregnant by him that she could force me to give my baby up because she has full custody of me and because of that she can choose what can happen with my baby. I am enraged because I do not think it is true. Can what she is saying to me happen? Also, can they call police on my boyfriend and deny that they new how old he was? Can I have people stand behind me who knew that my parents knew? I may be young but I know what’s right and her taking my baby just isn’t.
Asked on August 21, 2011 Illinois
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Please calm down. You have to be worried about your health. First let's start with the issue that he is 19 and you are 16. Yes, your parents can indeed call the police and yes, he can be arrested for statutory rape and a whole host of other things. It does not matter theta they knew. It does not matter that you have witnesss that knew they knew. It is a pretty cut and dry under the law. Now for you and the baby:
- Under Illinois law pregnant teens are able to consent (give permission) to medical care throughout their pregnancy.
- You can make medical decisions for yourself and for your baby once the baby is born.
- While you can choose to go to a school specifically designed for pregnant teens, you have a right to continue to stay at your current school.
- Once the baby is born, you have full parental rights for your child.
No one can force you to have an abortion or place the baby up for adoption.
Here is a site you need to look at: http://www.ilbypasscoordinationproject.org/youth/parenting.shtml
Good luck to you.
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