Let the beatings begin

Atlanta, Ga. (AP) -A nine-year old boy was at the center of a Douglas
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 of the minor
child to the Atlanta Falcons, whom the boy firmly believes are not
capable of beating anyone.