2yr old killed a cat

[samyjo]

I need some help!! My husband and I are looking to become foster parents and then adopt a 2yr old boy.  He is currently living with my aunt and uncle so we have had plenty of contact with him including overnight stays.  His original home life was not so good, he was abused emotionally and physically. God only knows what this little guy went through. He has always been sweet but would occasionally say strange things such as "we kill cops" and "put him under the water to stop the crying" Recently he was at my aunt's farm where he was playing with some shop ragw in a bucket.  He started throwing and stomping on what my aunt thought was a rag, turns out it was a kitten. He had beat up and drowned it. Now I am completely freaked out!  She imeadiately called the dr, social worker and so on.  To try get him in some sort therapy started asap and stop the unsupervised visits from his 'real parents'. But I can not get over this.  I have an 8 year old who is blind and autistic, I am afriad he will be an easy target.  Or if we do have another child...  I know I am looking into this a lot and I do not want to just leave this kid blowing in the wind, we honestly love him.  But I am afraid as to what is to come and if this is a good descion for my family.  Any insight or advice is welcome.

[ArmyPrincess819]

My heart just bleeds and bleeds for this lil boy! What an awful horrible life he has lived and he is only 2. Your a very sweet and caring person to want to love him and help him. It is hard to say what may or may not happen that is a chance and a choice only you can make. I have read and watched numerous shows and alot of people who hurt animals end up hurting others however that may not be the case. Maybe he is young enough where his adult life won't be affected as much! I would ask a counselor make an app and I would also post your question up in the ask a dr forum. I had a horrible childhood and the one love I had was for animals. Every child deals with their trauma differently. My trauma has caused me to be anxiety ridden and filled to the brim w ptsd. I did not end up the foster care system which looking back I probably should have been but I also got into therapy at a young age. This lil boy needs love from someone and needs to live a good life! I hope it all works out for you! Good luck!
AP

[penswriter]

That poor little guy! (and kitten!) I have almost 2 year old twins and I could never imagine hurting them and I'd go completely postal if somebody hurt them and for this poor little man to have his OWN parents do horrible things to him. Just rips out my heart.

The counseling would be a VERY VERY good idea for him and unsupervised visits definitely sounds like a BAD idea. I can understand your fear for your child. Are you a SAHM? Or is your husband a SAHD? Maybe having constant reassurance, guidance and love will help him. It would be hard work but the little man sounds like he needs a good, stable and loving home.

[mammo]

This is so sad...for everyone.  Wait and see what the therapist has to say and go from there.  I have friends who adopted their niece at 3 who was abused and subjected to drugs.  She was raised in a very loving, home with 2 brothers and a sister.  Both parents very involved with all the children and she was the baby.  It was endless trips to therapy all her life, and today she is a drug addict and living in the streets downtown strung out on drugs.  During this time she had a baby and she is be raised by her aunt and has no contact with her real mom.  I know some kids are just beyond help as this little girl was.  But where and when do you draw the line?  My heart aches for this little boy, but at the same time you have to be very concerned.  See what prognosis a psychologist gives regarding his future, but I think you're going to have your hands full.  I so want to lean in the direction of you still taking the boy and doing your best, but I've seen that stability, love and lots of positive attention does not always bring these children back, so sad. Maybe you can take a little longer to make a decision and see how he does.  This is a tough one, and you need to think our your son's safety.  God bless all of you and take care.

[samyjo]

Thank you all for you feedback and support, I really appriciate it.  My husband is a stay at home dad, so somebody would always be there for him.  We do have an appointment with a child phsychologist  week from Friday.  The only problem is we have to locate the mother to get her signiture and her approval before we can move forward.  Luckily my aunt is not afraid to get in there and yell at the social worker, judge or case workers to get things done.  Someones got to fight for this kid!