Adopting My Own Child Texas

Location: Texas Wild title yes I agree. Got a message in October from a girl I used to date's mother. She claimed her daughter had passed from cancer and her granddaughter, 15F, was my daughter. They said they did a 23andMe kit and it showed a match for me as a parent. (We haven't done an official test yet with this being so new but kid is basically my twin) There was always a 50/50 but when 15F was born this girl told me I wasn't the Dad so I left it alone and never heard anything until this.

She told me her daughter was common law married (this is all in Texas) and they had 5 kids together, in addition to the 15F. With the daughters passing no one has legal custody of my potential daughter. The 'stepdad' is trying to now adopt her. From what I've heard it's because everything is now in 15Fs name because everything was previously in mother's name only and she purposefully didn't put anything in stepdad name. He adopts 15F, a minor, everything is now his as her parent.

The issue is the grandparents and aunt/uncle have all told me the stepdad has been dismissive, unloving, and uncaring for the 11 years he's been in 15Fs life. Only now that I have been brought into the picture has he all the sudden wanted to adopt her ( never showed any desire when mother was still alive). He also is heavily gaslighting her, allegedly according to grandma, and letting her do whatever she wants (staying up all night, eating any fast food, finally watching things with her after a decade of nothing, telling her only he can care for her). She's completely believing stepdad is finally showing her love and affection and wants him to adopt her and she'll be happy. Grandparents are very concerned it's just an act and get into arguments with stepdad near daily about 15F.

Stepdad has no job and is currently living with all 6 kids in grandparents house. The house he, daughter, and 6 kids were all living in previously is apparently infested with mold and is unlivable.

I personally have 3 kids already, full custody of 1 with autism, and share custody of other 2 (all with same woman). I have the means to adopt my alleged daughter, pending full DNA test. Have full time job, make okay money, own my house, normal middle class things. The stepdad has already taken 15F to lawyer to start adoption paperwork and it's somewhere in the process. Grandparents are dreading if he gets to adopt her and gets full hold over her based on previous behavior. They have told me they think his plan is to adopt her and force me to pay child support to him and he'll just keep all the money to avoid working.

I have now met both grandparents and 15F just to have introductions and we have been texting daily for a month. Things have been good and I've been showing her positive thoughts and vibes, especially considering her mother just passed away.

After reading the novel, thank you all, what are my options? If 15F was 8F, for example, this would be much easier but I know courts look heavily at what child wants at such a high age. If I am bio Dad and have the means, and entire mother's side of family is on my side and will vouch for me, but she wants to be adopted and live with stepdad what choices do I have? I do okay for myself but paying child support to a guy with no job who treats all his children badly is not my ideal situation but I don't want to rip 15F away from only family situation she has ever known. I have told grandparents I wouldn't keep her from anyone and they are okay with me adopting her but stepdad is trying to plant seeds of me having an agenda in 15Fs head so he can adopt her.

Thanks for reading.