A seven-year-old boy was at the center of a Seattle 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 regulations requiring that family
unity be maintained to the 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 out 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 child welfare
officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Washington Huskies,
whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.