Grandmother Faces Financial Strain Raising Grandsons Without Legal Custody
Carol Leonard, a 65-year-old grandmother from Baton Rouge, is raising her two teenage grandsons, Blaze and Jason, on an annual income of $40,000. Despite her efforts, she cannot afford to retire or secure legal custody of the boys. Leonard has been the primary caregiver for her grandsons due to their parents' inability to care for them. She faces financial challenges, such as not qualifying for food stamps and struggling to afford legal fees for custody. Leonard's income as a facilities manager is insufficient to cover all expenses, and she relies on support from her church and her grandsons' older sister. Despite these challenges, Leonard has managed to provide a stable home environment, recently purchasing a small house where the boys have their own rooms. 
