Child protective services has investigated him but not found his abuse of the kids to meet the legal level of neglect - this includes having driven drunk w them and being caught doing so.
So damn infuriating it's... aaaargh. I know we've talked about this before, about how when all this is over and our kids are safe and we have our peace back, we're going to lobby our state legislatures for changes in the laws. Everyone says the laws are there to protect the children, but if kids can be sent to stay with a guy who's driven drunk with them, that is so much
And the "I'm gonna buy them cool toys so they'll want to stay here" will only work for that long. My girlfriend's ex bought their daughter a flippin' pony. *shaking my head* The kid still figured out he was an abusive drunk, pony or no pony.