All of the children receive professional counseling, said the Thorntons.

The children were removed from the daughter's custody because she wouldn't stop abusing them, said Mrs. Thornton. She said her daughter had a long history of instability, with symptoms of bipolar disorder, something Mrs. Thornton has learned about while studying for a master’s degree in psychology in order to become a professional counselor.

"I told her she needs to be on medication," said Mrs. Thornton.

Striking a balance between doing what is best for her daughter and what is best for her grandchildren has been difficult, said Mrs. Thornton. She said she enabled her daughter for years, helping pay utility bills and rent, because she did not want the children to be without a home.

But recently, the Thorntons cut off contact between their daughter and the children after she told them stories of the abuse were fabricated and tried to get the children to go back to court and say they wanted to be with her.

"We can’t have the kids up and down," said Mrs. Thornton. "It is a major issue because we have rules and she will go against what we say."

The couple said they try to raise their grandchildren with the same care and concern that they gave their own children, but that it is difficult to make the switch from a doting grandparent to a strict caregiver. The family attends church and the kids are not allowed to watch television on weeknights so they can do homework.

The Thorntons rely on extended family - siblings, aunts and uncles - and church members to help.

Mrs. Thornton hopes the children will further their education and go on to lead productive lives. Her enrollment in graduate school is an incentive, she said.

"We talk about education and careers rather than jobs," she said.

Sharryc wants to be a forensic scientist, Kyra a judge, Cameron an FBI agent, Abrianna a veterinarian and Demarcus a baseball star.

But Mrs. Thornton worries the children could get caught in the cycle of repeat behavior.

"How are they going to parent?" is the big question, she said.

Kelly Kazek is a CNHI News Service Elite Reporting Fellowship recipient. She writes for The News Courier in Athens, Ala.