Bring Sam Home
Donation protected
My estranged husband, John Bennett, has taken my son and is keeping him in an undisclosed location. He is not allowing me to see him or know where he is. To establish my rights as a parent, we are raising funds for the legal fees for custody (temporary or permanent) so that we have something in writing that ensures John cannot take Sam away like this again. John works 70 hours a week and is not home enough to spend time with Sam, and I have been his primary caregiver for 17 months. Yes, I could do this on my own, but as he isn't making this process easy, a lawyer is the safest route to get Sam home.
Yay! As of 05/20/2014, we have enough for the retainer. There are more legal fees beyond that, with payments of $750/month. Thank you for keeping sweet Sam in your thoughts and prayers.
UPDATE, 05/27/2014: I got to see Sam for an hour this evening. It was a supervised visit (supervised by his father) at a McDonald's, but an hour of Sam is so much better than two weeks of nothing. It was the most awkward experience I've ever had, and the heartbreaking part was seeing the confusion in Sam. I still don't know where Sam is staying, if someone is working with him on eating regular food (a big problem), when his PT and OT visits will be rescheduled, or when I will get to see him again. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
UPDATE, 06/11/2014: I have had a total of four visits with Sam. We were able to change locations from McDonald's to a quiet local playground. John has taken Sam on vacation this week, so I don't get to see him at all.
UPDATE, 07/09/2014: We have a 30-day temporary custody agreement in place, but it is a far cry from 50/50. I get Sam two nights a week until 6:45 in the morning, when John picks him up for daycare, and then every other Friday night. Right now, he is attempting to block me from Sam's medical decision-making and physical therapy, and he will not let me take him to visit my parents in Colorado. He is still vying for sole physical custody and is essentially attempting to run me into the ground emotionally and financially. He has two sets of parents supporting him; I am on my own financially. I have gotten a job and am able to pay the bills (something he was not able to do) and am holding up, but the legal bills are going to be a nightmare, especially if he keeps running to his lawyer to fabricate half-truths. I'm not sure his lawyer has actually reviewed Missouri family law with him, nor has he read it on his own, because none of this will work in his favor.
Yay! As of 05/20/2014, we have enough for the retainer. There are more legal fees beyond that, with payments of $750/month. Thank you for keeping sweet Sam in your thoughts and prayers.
UPDATE, 05/27/2014: I got to see Sam for an hour this evening. It was a supervised visit (supervised by his father) at a McDonald's, but an hour of Sam is so much better than two weeks of nothing. It was the most awkward experience I've ever had, and the heartbreaking part was seeing the confusion in Sam. I still don't know where Sam is staying, if someone is working with him on eating regular food (a big problem), when his PT and OT visits will be rescheduled, or when I will get to see him again. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
UPDATE, 06/11/2014: I have had a total of four visits with Sam. We were able to change locations from McDonald's to a quiet local playground. John has taken Sam on vacation this week, so I don't get to see him at all.
UPDATE, 07/09/2014: We have a 30-day temporary custody agreement in place, but it is a far cry from 50/50. I get Sam two nights a week until 6:45 in the morning, when John picks him up for daycare, and then every other Friday night. Right now, he is attempting to block me from Sam's medical decision-making and physical therapy, and he will not let me take him to visit my parents in Colorado. He is still vying for sole physical custody and is essentially attempting to run me into the ground emotionally and financially. He has two sets of parents supporting him; I am on my own financially. I have gotten a job and am able to pay the bills (something he was not able to do) and am holding up, but the legal bills are going to be a nightmare, especially if he keeps running to his lawyer to fabricate half-truths. I'm not sure his lawyer has actually reviewed Missouri family law with him, nor has he read it on his own, because none of this will work in his favor.
Organizer
Amanda Finley
Organizer
Kansas City, MO
