Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Supporters,

 I'm reaching out with a heavy heart for help one more time. By the grace of God, $5,000 has been raised to help our cause. However, after meeting with my future lawyer, they have informed me that to hire them for the upcoming trial and to better protect my son's best interests, an additional $5,000 is needed. Every dollar goes directly toward legal fees—no overhead, just fighting for my baby to come back home.

 Some backstory:
 On August 5, 2025, most of my custody time with my 9 year-old son was reduced through a temporary order. This followed repeated violations of our existing court-ordered parenting plan by my ex-husband, including issues with right of first refusal (offering me time before third-party care for periods over 4 hours) and restrictions on our communication that went well beyond the original agreement.

 Due to representing myself without a lawyer in a complex hearing, my honesty regarding a legal substance was misunderstood by the court, leading to a strict ruling that drastically reduced my time with my son. Other allegations against me were not substantiated, but the outcome shifted most custody to my ex. Despite submitting a clean hair follicle test since then, proving no ongoing use, the temporary order remained in effect at our second hearing in October.

My son has thrived, is so incredibly loved, and has always been safe with me—he's never been left with others during my parenting time, and his well-being and happiness has always been my upmost priority. I have fought tirelessly since the implementation of this temporary order, providing evidence of my fitness as a parent, but, as I’m sure you’re all aware, the costs of proper representation are very overwhelming.

 This battle is the most mentally and emotionally taxing thing I have ever been through, especially after escaping an abusive marriage years ago. I will never let my son believe that I didn’t do everything in my power to fight for restored time with him—he is my world and he deserves to feel safe, seen, heard and cared for at all times.

If you've read this far, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Any support—donations, shares, etc.—means the world. Funds will cover attorney fees to challenge the current order and seek a fair resolution focused on my son’s safety and happiness. Above all, please pray for his safety and peace throughout this process.

With gratitude,
Tori