My Mom Is An Alcoholic And I Want To Get Guardianship Of My 11yr Old Sister. How Do I Get Her Placed With Me Instead Of Foster Care?

Location: California

Okay so my mom took my 11yr old sister in a rage because my grandma (her mom) asked her to run an errand. She dragged my little sister through the street while screaming and someone called the cops. My mom threw things at my disabled grandma while screaming and cursing. My mom then took my little sister somewhere and wouldn’t and still hasn’t told us where. (I followed them home from school, they’re at a family friend’s). My mom is unable to take care of and honestly a danger to my little sister.

My mom is an alcoholic and drug addict. She has on and off for decades, since before I was born 23yrs ago. She drunk drives with my sisters in the car and drinks and drives constantly. My mom is always drunk, high or both, nearly 24/7. My little sister has had to hide her keys several times so she wouldn’t drive drunk to work. My mom scolds and belittles my sister for everything. “You embarrassed me by not wanting to go on the roller coaster you brat” “if you do that again I’ll leave and you’ll never see me again” “you’re just a fuckin brat” etc. Also found out she’s hit my little sister before. I’m just finding all of this out by the way. My other sister said she didn’t tell me because my mom would threaten to either hit her or leave and we’ll never see her again.

So I want to get guardianship of my little sister. I am 23yrs old and have a 2bed 2bath apartment with my husband who my sister adores. I have 2 bachelors degrees and graduated a year and a half early. My income is a little inconsistent because my job is based off clients, not hourly but I make more than enough to support myself, husband and sister. Also I live 2hrs away, I’m concerned CPS won’t place her with me bc of how far I live and I’ll have to change her school. So as of now my mom is homeless sleeping on couches, has no car and makes literally 22k a year.

So I want to call CPS to get my sister placed with me. The problem is that I don’t want them to put her in foster care or not take her at all. Because if CPS knocks on her door and they don’t take my sister away my mom is going to run with her and we’ll never see them again. Even now she won’t let my sister call unless she’s in the room coaching her what to say.

What could I do to get my sister placed with me? What steps do I need to take to get her away from my mom. My other sister has more than enough incriminating information about my mom that explains how dangerous she is but it’s all hearsay. We don’t actually have anything physical except for the mountain of weed I’ve found while cleaning.

Please SOS, I don’t want my sister with my mom for any longer than need be. She’s simply not safe and I’m worried but at the same time I don’t want my sister in foster care.

Thank you for taking the time to read this