Poor boy

[$parechange]

Indianapolis - A seven-year old boy was at the center of a Marion

County 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

regulation requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest

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 and said 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

the child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody

to the Indianapolis Colts Football Team, whom the boy firmly

believes are not capable of beating anyone.

[E_]

OUCH