I’m starting this fundraiser for a friend of mine who is desperately seeking assistance to obtain legal help on behalf of her pre-teen son. If you or someone you know can relate to her story, I invite you to help she and her son know some peace through legal options that are currently out of their reach.
She came to the US from Europe while engaged to an American. After their wedding, the violence was ongoing, and several years in, the marriage ended.
The son lived with his mother for about seven years, excelled in school and had many friends while my friend continued to fight in ongoing custody hearings. The boy’s visits with his father were still impacted by violence; broken doors, punched walls, and at one point the father was arrested for causing criminal damage. The Department of Children’s Services was called and upon investigating determined the father was abusive. My friend requested an order of protection but was told by her attorney at the time there was no need. The husband then assaulted my friend so strongly she was left with a traumatic brain injury and put on disability. The next day her attorney withdrew from her case.
As the custody proceedings continued, the husband spun the story to present the mother as the abuser. Traumatized by all he had witnessed and endured in his young life, their son had a panic attack which the father recorded and began using as “evidence” of the impact her supposed abuse was having.
Lacking representation, traumatized, and impacted by the TBI, my friend asked for a delay to her court case, but this request was denied. At her court hearing, in front of her abuser and with her head spinning from the TBI, she was asked to recall all the abuse inflicted on her. Unable to adequately appease the court, custody for the boy was granted to his abusive father. He has weekly visits with his mother, but is not allowed to attend school, and has no contact with his friends. His father, prone to conspiracy theories, has isolated him from as many outside influences as possible. Now every level of his development is being stunted as he is essentially cut off.
My friend needs quality legal representation. Pro-bono does not appear to be an option and the estimate for counsel is $30,000. The first $3,000 will be used for a forensic psychological evaluation, to prove the impact of her TBI. This must be obtained before her case can proceed.
If you wish to facilitate this young boy’s safety and well-being, please donate today. Thank you.
