just have the mom call protective services! they'll interview the kids-mom's interview will have very little weight because of the possibility of "coaching" the kids' responses.

You shouldn't be in charge of gathering evidence in support of your children. You need to see a social worker or court-appointed social worker who will gather the evidence and ask the children the questions. Who told you you were in charge of this? I'm very angry and upset by this. Plus, why do you need a court order to keep your kids away from abusive grandparents!? They're your children, thus your responsibility. I would get them out of there and leave it at that. If they're under the grandparents' custody and you're trying to regain custody, then you should still have an outsider that you trust: church pastor/counselor, social worker, therapist, someone trusted in the community--to interview the children. Gosh. I'm shocked that I'm the one telling you this. I know nothing about the court system, but to me, it's common sense. If they aren't telling you this, I would be worried.

I don't know how old the little one's are, but what ever is happening today will affect them tomorrow. My suggesstion, get an attorney, if you can't afford one go to legal aid where you live. There are a lot of non-profit agencies that can help these kid's, hopefully without putting them in a foster home. The sooner the better.

Wow. That's a heartbreaking story. :(

From what I read, I'm assuming the children's mother is your daughter. If I'm wrong, I apologize.

She needs to get them out of that situation by any means necessary. My understanding is that taping conversations is legal unless done over the phone, or otherwise in a situation where the person being recorded is not present. So that may be a viable solution, but it's no ideal. The person asking the questions needs to have credentials.

I'd recommend having the children speak to a councilor or child psychologist if possible. Get child services involved as much as possible so that they have a voice in this if it goes to court. Even if it doesn't, they'll be a much more valueble ally than a recording.

If the father is a convicted child molester, it should be pretty easy for the mother to get sole custody. And as far as I know, grandparents have no rights in these matters. If the father isn't allowed to see the children, I don't think his parents would have any legal right to see them either. If the father is NOT a convicted child molester, but you know he molests those kids, you should call the police immediately.

I hope it all works out for those kids. No child should have to go through any of this. But going through the system is a lot better than surviving an abusive childhood.