TDLR— I got left with a friends kid and don’t have a clue what to do

I’m going to keep this short and give as little info as possible, because there’s a lot.

About two weeks ago I had an old friend call me and tell me she was houseless. She is a single mom to six kids, with four different men. She has been bouncing from house to house and staying with whomever will take her and whatever kids she has at the time.

Five of the children are primarily staying with their dads. The sixth doesn’t have a dad and was left with his grandma who is actively using meth. That child, who has only met my family once, begged his mom to stay over here instead of with grandma.

I told my partner about what was going on, and without hesitation he offered to let him stay with us. And he’s been here a week.

Here’s my problem…I was hoping for some sort of support from a social worker or something to help guide me through the process. And also to be there when the situation doesn’t play out well. (There’s several ways things can turn awry.) They pretty much said that since mom is willing, child is willing, and we’re willing, they have no reason to get involved. Which I understand their caseload is tremendous.

I told the mom that I had contacted children’s division to see what we needed to do to make sure we are all handling this the right way. Didn’t give out any names or specifics. And mom FLIPPED told me to take him to his grandmas, which I told her she didn’t want to go there with me trying to keep a 9yo alone with a severe meth addict for god knows how long. And that was the end of that.

And now, at this point, she doesn’t even want to give me the right to make medical decisions, because I mentioned “legal power of attorney” and now she thinks I’m going to take her kid from her, it seems. Which is not the case, but I will not let him bounce from house to house because he’s done this for nine years of his life. And I refuse to send him with an active meth user.

She also hasn’t checked on him once. And when he called her she said she was talking to a friend and would call back but never did. I send her pics and stuff, most she doesn’t respond to.

I guess Im just venting because I don’t know where to go from here…I don’t want to step on moms toes, but I want to keep the one kid safe who doesn’t have a consistent safe place.