Some friendly advice.
Hire a family lawyer in the venue where the boy lives asap to explore the boy's options.
Some states allow the child depending on their age to have substantial input into the process.
If the dad is a bum and you are lawyered up, dad may give up without even trying.
Always to be prepared with a plan going into a potential conflict like this and understand what is possible and what is not.
Sorry for the boy, but glad he has at least one person in the world that cares for him. Good for you and your wife for having an open heart.
