Lenora Buckley

I am the paternal grandmother of my grandson, and I have been part of his life since the very beginning. I was there when he was born—present in the delivery room—and from that moment on, I have loved, supported, and helped care for him as family is supposed to do. For a significant period of his early life, he lived with me. During that time, I didn’t just “visit”—I helped raise him. I provided financial support, helped secure housing for his mother, contributed to daycare expenses, and made sure he was cared for and surrounded by family. He knows me. I know him. This is not a distant or last-minute connection—this is a real, established bond. When he was placed into foster care in May 2023, I immediately made myself available as a placement option. I was willing, able, and ready to take him in. However, despite my involvement from the beginning and my continued efforts, I was overlooked and denied placement. I was not given clear written reasons early on, and I was not treated as a priority placement—even though Georgia law emphasizes placing children with family whenever possible. Over time, instead of correcting that, the system allowed him to remain in foster care long enough to build a bond there—and is now using that delay as a reason to keep him from his biological family. I filed a petition to intervene to fight for placement and even visitation, but that was denied as well. What’s at stake is not just a legal case—it’s my grandson’s right to know his family, his identity, and his roots. It’s about a child being raised within his own bloodline instead of being permanently separated from it, despite having family who stepped forward from the beginning. This is why I am speaking out. Not just for my grandson—but for other families going through the same thing, who are being overlooked, delayed, and denied while their children are adopted outside of their family. The funds raised will be used for legal fees as I continue fighting for my grandson. Every donation will go directly toward ensuring I have the representation needed to pursue justice and give my grandson a fair chance to be with his family. Please stand with me in this fight. Help me bring my grandson home and shine a light on what so many families are going through. Your support gives us strength to keep going.