> 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 San Diego
> Chargers Football Team, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of
> beating anyone.
