Living with Aunt and Uncle

Gage Mitchell, 5, jokes around with his aunt, Pam Cole, in their home in Lawrenceburg. Cole became the legal custodian of Gage in the summer of 2005. Gage has been living off-and-on with Pam and her husband, Bill, since he was 2 months old. "He's my child now," says Cole. "He's my child in every sense of the word other than I'm not his biological mother."

Gage Mitchell, 5, brushes his teeth under the supervision of his legal custodian, his aunt, Pam Cole, in their home in Lawrenceburg. Cole sucessfully sued her sister for custody of Gage in the summer of 2005. "I'm not Gage's birth mother but I feel like I basically, other than give him birth, I've basically been his mother in every sense of the word," says Cole. I've never felt like he should look at me as his mother. Maybe I'm just an Aunt who raised him."

Gage Mitchell, 5, receives a goodbye kiss from his aunt, Pam Cole, who had just dropped her nephew off at the Lawrenceburg home of his mother, Kim Baker, (pictured rear). In the summer of 2005, Cole was given legal custody of Gage, who now calls the Cole household "home" while spending a few nights each week in the home of his birth parents."I feel like it is very important that Gage be able to see his parents any time he wants to, providing the home environment at the time is appropriate," said Cole. "I wouldn't have any hesitation if I took him over there and I felt like he did not need to be there at that time to say: 'I'm sorry; he can't stay.'"

Gage Mitchell, 5, plays with a balloon in the back seat of his mother, Kim Baker's, vehicle. "I hope he doesn't make the mistakes I did and all I can tell him is please, please don't do what I did and be 38-years-old, working at a fast food restaurant," she said. "We'll just have to wait and see on that.''

Gage Mitchell, 5, appeals his mother, Kim Baker, at the counter of a McDonald's restaurant in Versailles, Ky. A summer 2005 court order placed Gage in the legal custody of Kim's sister, Pam, though Gage still spends a few days a week with his birth parents. "I don't regret none of my kids or nothing like that," said Baker, "but I do wish I had done things different with my life. But, I didn't. So I'm the one who has to live with it now."

Gage Mitchell, 5, enjoys a relaxed moment lounging with his father, Larry, in the living room of their home in Lawrenceburg. Gage's mother, Kim and sister, Lauren are pictured, rear. Larry's liver is not functioning properly - a result of Hepatitis C - and doctors say he desperately needs a transplant.

Bill Cole watches over his nephew, Gage Mitchell, 5, on the firing range at the Anderson County Sportsman's Club. Cole and his wife successfully petitioned the court to obtain legal custody of Gage in 2005.

Bill Cole watches over his nephew, Gage Mitchell, 5, on the firing range at the Anderson County Sportsman's Club. Cole and his wife successfully petitioned the court to obtain legal custody of Gage in 2005.

5 year-old Gage Mitchell looks out a hospital window while awaiting the completion of his father, Larry's, doctors appointment. Larry Mitchell's liver is not functioning properly - a result of Hepatitis C - and doctors say he desperately needs a transplant.