In 1999 BM in our case signed "legal guardianship" over to her parents (that was not signed by the court) and took off to live with her on line boyfriend in another state. Our attorney advised against going and getting the child right away believing it would help our case the longer she was away (in hind sight I'm not sure I would take this advise today). After 6 months BM tried to come back and take the child to KY with her. My husband objected and filed for a change in custody. Her request to take the child out of state at that point was denied. BM's attorney argued that the child should be able to continue to stay with the grandparents and BM should be able to return to KY until the court case finished. The commissioner said absolutely not. BM had to return to WA and care for the child or custody would be turned over to the father. BM came back.
