Awful custody battle any advice? Please help!

Sarah - posted on 04/28/2012

Your advice has been really great and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I know I need to try and stop worrying I haven't slept good in a week and it's taking a toll. and I am a believer and that is excellent advice, hopefully everything does work out and all this worrying is for nothing. Talking to people like you has been a huge help. Thank you so much!

Angie - posted on 04/26/2012

Here's some other advice my dad passed on to me...try not to worry about the future and what if's, you will drive yourself crazy...a lot can change between now and then and all that worrying would be for nothing...I know it's hard not to, but it honestly is best to try to keep you healthy and sane as it's amazing the wear stress can have on your body....another piece of advice given to my by a lady from church...don't know if you are a believer, but if you are, she told me when it seems like things are at their very worst, make no decisions, hand it over to God and wait 3 days. I've used this one several, several times and it is amazing, you might not exactly have the answers you were looking for at the end of the 3 days, but the problem that seemed so bleak not necessarily is anymore...hang in there :)

Sarah - posted on 04/26/2012

Yes it does seem like a lifetime especially since his 2nd birthday is in May and I had things planned and now I'm not even sure I'll see him. It's really hard I have never been without him like this so its been awful. I am definitely getting an attorney I am going to call legal aid and see if they can help me. I'm sorry for what you've been through too it is so horrible I have always been a good mother and to have these things said and being accused of all of this has taken a toll. I just can't wait for it to be over with. Good luck on your court date and thanks a lot for the advice and encouragement. It is really good to have some place to talk to others who can give advice and who have been through this type of stuff it really helps a lot when I feel down. Hope everything works out for you as well.

Angie - posted on 04/25/2012

wow...I'm sure June seems a lifetime away...I would definitely get a hold of an attorney now. If what he got the order of protection for was unfounded and false, I don't know how that could hold up. Otherwise anyone could make untruthful claims to get temporary custody and the custodial parent goes through absolute hell until that court date, worrying themselves sick. I'm dealing with juvenile courts and CPS (we call them DFS) right now and some of the things they do simply amazes me and makes no sense to anyone. I have been charged with child abandonment on my 15yo because I followed medical professionals advise when he was discharged from a psychiatric hospital back to juvenile detention that it was unsafe for him (and me) for him to be in my home and recommended 24 hour supervision....long story, but out of control is an understatement. Juvenile hotlined me for refusing to come pick him up, but I don't understand why they transferred him back if they weren't going to hold him until the courts determined what our next step is. I know, different situation, but it still sucks when we put everything into our kids, some of it certainly not what we expect, and have somebody judge us or question us or even lie about us. This DFS social worker assigned to me...I could seriously smack, just because her other 20 kids assigned to her have crackhead/heroin parents doesn't mean that is my case & I find it insulting to be told to dress appropriate for court when I'm dressed better in my work clothes than her supervisor. She told me that I gave up my kid & I've had my house checked for running water and food. They won't even disclose where my son is, but I do know since he's been there 3/13, he has stolen prescription drugs, stolen jewelry, & had an incident with a butcher knife (nobody was hurt, they were able to talk him into putting it down), and he finally just started school last Monday; school wouldn't let him in because of the hospital discharge report, fearing for their student's safety..apparently there was quite the battle to get him in with attorneys & district supervisors involved. Now his father, on parole for felony DWI's is looking at this as an opportunity to try for custody. Fortunately, my court date is May 7th..only a few weeks away...again, best of luck to you, hang in there, stay strong, & keep believing. This is a great site to get the support when you are having bad days :)

Sarah - posted on 04/25/2012

Thanks for the advice & yes they gave him emergency temporary custody because of an order of protection I have to ask permission to visit my son until I go to court in June. I plan on hiring an attorney I don't know how he was able to get it. CPS came and check us out and things were fine they said the case was closed then when I went to pick him up from his grandmas because she watches him while I work they told me I wasn't allowed to take him because he has temporary custody. I wasn't there when he went to court he has CPS come to my house and the same day went and got and order of protection which got him temporary custody.

Angie - posted on 04/25/2012

I'm not sure where you are located but you probably need to hire an attorney...Did he get temporary custody because of the order of protection? I'm really not sure how he was able to get that..I couldn't get one for my 17 yo son when his girlfriend's dad attacked him and put 7 stitches in his head because there wasn't an "immediate threat". Were you there when your ex went to court? Sometimes the courts, CPS, and juvenile offices do some screwy things and while I believe that truth will always prevail, it might benefit you to have an attorney that can play the game that is sometimes involved when dealing with courts...best of luck to you ~ keep believing in yourself :)