More and more families are raising a relative's own child.

It's an issue Action News decided look into following the death of Peter Munck.

The 12 year old lived with his grandmother in the Town of Union.

But when she was hospitalized, the boy was left in the care of his older brother.

Broome Sheriff's investigators say Munck died from injuries after the brothers fought.

While this is a distinct case, the boy's family situation was not unique.

Action News reporter Erik Burling tells us why Kinship Caregiving is a growing trend.

Kinship caregivers are grandparents, aunts, uncles even cousins raising a relatives child.

The U.S. Census saw a 30% increase in the last decade, and expects another 30% jump this decade.

The Family Enrichment Network says there are more than 12-hundred kinship caregivers in Broome County.

I spoke to one family from Conklin.

8 year-old Russel, and 5 year-old Sam live with their aunt and uncle.

But ask the boys, and they will tell you they live with mom and dad.

"I may be giving them care, but I get more out of them than I give. Because I see them grow, see how they matured, see how they act," says uncle, Richard Webster.

Of the 13 children Webster has raised, only two were his own.

He's also taken care of 4 grandchildren, 3 nephews, 2 nieces and two unrelated children.

"It's not the child's fault that the family, the father and mother threat them the way they do. And they should have some place where they can feel safe," says Webster.

"Parents don't want to take responsibility for these kids that they have. They want to have the kids, and they realize what a burden their child is," says aunt, Heidi Webster.

The Family Enrichment Network in Johnson City offers kinship caregivers support.

"There's always grief and loss involved when there's transitions. It's helping the child recognize that the parent still loves the child, but at this point may be ill or unwell," says ," says Deborah Falks of Family Enrichment Network.

Falks says the most common reasons for separation are drug and alcohol abuse, also parents sent to prison.

But families like the Webster's can make a difference in the child's life.

"Recent research has shown kids who grow up with relatives do so much better than those who grow up in Foster care," says Falks.

For Webster it's been a tough road, but...

"Every time you make one sacrifice and you look in the little ones eyes, there's lots of rewards,yeah," says Webser.

Family Enrichment Network began one of New York's first kinship caregiver programs in 2005.

There's also state money available to these families.

To find out more, call Family Enrichment Network at 723-8313.

Tuesday on Action News, we'll hear about emergency planning, and legal issues these families face.