How can i get my 13 yr old son out of an abusive home?

my son lives with his mom and step dad over the last couple years he has became more and more angry and withdrawn recentley he came to me asking to live with me. He complains of his step father cussing and hitting him. Says that he knocks his mother around. His mother refuses to talk about it with me. The state social service put him with me for a 7 day protection period his worker states that there is something going on but can not prove it so i had to send him back to his mother. The judge over this case is a friend of my sons mother and i can not afford a lawyer. Because of my son refusing to live at home with his step father his mother is curently making him stay with her parents. I am about to file for coustody. My question is are there any west virgina laws that may be faverable to me with my case. I need all the help i need with the ex wife being friends with the judge.