There are many reasons why third parties (e.g., grandparents, aunts and uncles or friends) may wish to intervene in a child abuse or neglect case. The most common is so that they can have input into the case and be heard as to what they believe is in the best interests of the victim child. Usually, they believe that the child’s best interests include their being awarded temporary or permanent custody of the child. DSS may or may not agree.
It is an uphill fight... Intervening in a DSS case in South Carolina
There are many reasons why third parties (e.g., grandparents, aunts and uncles or friends) may wish to intervene in a child abuse or neglect case. The most common is so that they can have input into the case and be heard as to what they believe is in the best interests of the victim child. Usually, they believe that the child’s best interests include their being awarded temporary or permanent custody of the child. DSS may or may not agree.
It is an uphill fight... 
In my South Carolina practice, grandparents ask of they can get custody of their grandchild in a DSS case.
So-called third-party victims of child abuse and neglect can play a vital part in any given South Carolina DSS action. The grandparents, aunts and uncles and adult siblings can step up and become the child’s placement resource through relative placement. DSS is required to conduct a preliminary investigation within twenty-four hours after the child is...