From the admitted somewhat limited experience I have with this in Family Court, the problem is that although OCA may have been "unfit", the problem is showing how at that time Caylee was suffering from it. Because CA and GA were picking up the slack and Caylee appeared to be a happy well cared for and healthy child - I think they would have had problems. The courts still consider the mother/child bond sacred and if the child appears happy - then so be it.
It appears CA and GA were not prepared to withdraw their support until OCA was completely out of control instead of years before, and we all know the result of that. Way too little, far too late.
Good post, this was also what I was referring so to 'uphill battle'. I've had multiple people tell me (lawyers as well as someone from family services) that as far as the court is concerned, you have to really show the child is in an unsafe enviroment and usually there are only a few things that go towards that. If drugs are in the home or if the child is getting physically abused. Even in situations where the parent isn't working, you have the prove that the child is being negatively affected by that, such as getting a doctor to show malnourishment, missing vaccinations, etc.
Courts are very hesitant to change custody once established as they go off the notion that moving homes/enviroment is more detrimental than anything else.