Are they right ones to raise kid's child?

DEAR ABBY: Your answer to "Heartbroken in Alabama" did not go deep enough. The pregnant sister, "Nicole," who is facing prison time, needs to contact the Department of Children's Services in her county/state as soon as possible. They will oversee the placement of her child if said child is born in jail or prison.

A child born in custody becomes a ward of the state, and if arrangements can be made prior to birth for a foster family, it could benefit the child and "Heartbroken."

- Obstetrical RN in Michigan

DEAR RN: Thank you for writing. Readers' views were emotionally charged about this subject, as you will see:

DEAR ABBY: "Heartbroken" is upset because her parents want to raise her sister's child while her sister serves a prison sentence. It should be the sister's decision who will raise the child, no one else's.

It sounds like the parents intend to maintain the family ties and make sure the child knows his/her birth mother. If the parents have custody, a relationship can still be formed and the child won't be cast to the wind.

"Heartbroken" is behaving like the child is a commodity with no rights or needs of his/her own. I urge "Heartbroken" and her husband to educate themselves about the emotional needs of adopted children before they take any child into their home.

- Adoptive Mother in California

DEAR ABBY: "Heartbroken" may desperately want to be a mother and her mother may want to raise her grandchild, but has either of them given consideration to the special needs that Nicole's child will likely be born with?

We have two adopted children whose birth mothers had varying degrees of alcohol and drug dependency. Our boys have learning disabilities, seizures, ADHD and more.

"Heartbroken," do your research. I'd hate to see your heart broken again.

- Mom Who Knows in Idaho