But I have to take some kind of action now, or I'm going to be stuck with a mountain of student debt and child care costs that are as much as a second mortgage (without the rental income!).  

The only occupants residing would be me, my fiancé and our newborn.

Here’s the secret ....You have all your tenants on a month to month lease . when you show up and see Fido the super hero service dog . ..You tell the tenant to lose the mutt ...When they go on a tirade about how they We’re mistreated as a child  ..have ptsd and got a certificate for their “ service” dog ,I just hand them a no renewal paper telling them to be out in 30 days .they can go live with Fido under a bridge somewhere eating out of the same can of dog food as far as I’m concerned 

Seller is the only child, and lives in a far away state (the mom, a widow, is at a rest home not far from the properties I want to buy).

The rehab was a little challenging with a newborn but it was well worth it.

Who do you think is going to get sued if you let a murderer or child molester rent from you and they harm a neighbor?

Its probably not alimony but child support. 

Here is a story of a girl electrocuted by a faulty dryer without proper grounding:https://www.click2houston.com/news/2018/07/11/child-electrocuted-in-texas-rental-home-that-mother-says-had-electrical-issues-before/Here is a good link to explain grounding and GFCI better:https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-grounding-1152859I am predict within 20 years that code will require dual GFCI / AFCI detection breakers on all circuits. 

When I called the gas company they said the bill was actually in another persons name (my tenants child) Question is.

Also wanting to be able to have some set aside to find a small multi family for an investment property to build wealth for our new little one and begin building a portfolio for childs future.