Journey to Freedom: Help Us Bring Kaiden Home to New York
💔 The Heart of the Matter: Trauma and Separation
My son, Kaiden, is currently placed in a group home facility (QRTP) in Colorado Springs, CO. For years, he was subjected to sustained verbal and emotional abuse by the man who was his legal guardian. This abuse included telling Kaiden he wished he had died, calling him "useless," and actively sabotaging our relationship with false, damaging accusations (e.g., claiming all I would ever be is a drug addict). Mind you I have been clean from IV meth use for 4 years and alcohol almost 2 years.
Kaiden has a history of prior trauma, and his guardian, tragically, failed to provide the mental health support and protection he desperately needed. Instead, Kaiden was left to struggle—skipping school, self-harming, and becoming suicidal.
🚨 The Crisis Point
The situation culminated a year ago in a physical altercation. Kaiden called the police, but in a moment of crisis, he made a threat against his guardian. This resulted in criminal charges, landing him in detention, then foster care, where his trauma and instability led to further charges and a period of running away. He was eventually classified as a flight risk and deemed in need of higher-level care, leading to his placement in the current facility.
🏡 The Path Home
After years of separation and months of court proceedings, we finally have a plan: Kaiden is scheduled to come home to New York permanently. This move will happen during the first weekend of January when I was already planning a trip to Colorado to see him. For Kaiden, who is currently depressed and completely isolated from his former guardian's family, I am his only remaining support system.
✈️ The Unexpected Cost
To celebrate our reunion, I had already spent over $1,000 on a round-trip flight, hotel, and ski/snowboard trip expenses for us in Denver.
Now, the wonderful news of him coming home has presented a massive logistical challenge:
- Lost Flight & Luggage: Kaiden has far too many essential belongings to fly home with us, meaning I will lose my non-refundable return flight ticket. Shipping his items would cost over $2,000.
- Dangerous Drive & Extended Stay: To transport Kaiden and his possessions safely and avoid the severe snowstorms anticipated in January, I must now rent a moving vehicle, extend my rental car, and book an additional 2-3 nights of hotels. This will allow us to drive cautiously back to New York, as his facility can only assist with gas costs.
I estimate these unavoidable, extended travel and transport costs will significantly exceed my initial budget.
🙏 How You Can Help
We are urgently seeking assistance to cover these last-minute, essential costs to ensure Kaiden's safe passage home to his family in New York.
Any contribution, even $1, will help us close this gap and finally end Kaiden’s long journey through the system.
If you cannot donate financially, please consider sharing this appeal—your share is priceless.
We are committed to transparency. I would be happy to do a video chat or provide further details to anyone who has questions about our situation.
Thank you deeply for taking the time to read our story and for any kindness you are able to offer.
With love and gratitude,
Crystal, Kaiden, Skylar, & Lucca.
We will send snowboarding video to each and every person that donates towards Kaiden's return home!
