My brother's ex-wife, who is a convicted felon currently in rehab after getting arrested on meth charges, is trying to get custody of his kids. Legally, they are currently on joint custody, but my brother has been taking care of the kids since he learned about her meth dealings in the beginning of the year.

She's recently called the cops and child protective services on my brother due to the "state of the house", and while the house is in disrepair - plumbing and heating are faulty - the police left satisfied that there were no problems and CPS - while insisting that they were obligated to continue an investigation - left without taking any action.

My brother is buying a new house in five days or so, so the bad housing situation won't be an issue.

My brother has filed for full custody, but since that takes time, my family is worried about the school situation. Twice, she tried to go to school and take the kids home with her - to a homeless shelter where she's attending rehab. Twice, the kids refused. Today, she entered the house and tried to get the kids again. The door shouldn't have been unlocked, admittedly, but it was only left unlocked so that another child could come in from school.

Can anything be done to stop her from picking the kids up at school? Or is she going to legally have a right to do so as long as she has joint custody? She's a felon for fuck's sake and has absolutely no income. No home. She was found naked in the woods when she got arrested. Her lover died of an overdose. I mean, shit.