Help Find Gabe's Missing Children
Donation protected
UPDATE NOV 2021: This fundraiser is now aiding in the search for my critically missing toddler sons, 3-year-old Adrian and 2-year-old Kai. They, along with their non-custodial mother, went missing on Thursday, Sept 22nd, 2021 from the Bayview Milwaukee WI area. ( https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1432211/screen ) Milwaukee police are investigating, but there is still no sign of my children and at this point they have missed many doctor and therapist appointments. A private investigator has been hired and we feel confident it is only a matter of time before they are all found. But help is needed, as the previous divorce proceedings already had a devastating toll financially. Any donations towards the search to Find Adrian and Kai are greatly appreciated. I remain perpetually grateful for the support of friends and family through this incredibly difficult time. Thank you, everyone.
PREVIOUS REGARDING LEGAL FEES:
My sons Adrian and Kai are the greatest joy of my life. Adrian will be 2 in June and Kai just turned 7 months. My marriage to their mother was rocky from the outset. Despite my best efforts to make everything work for the sake of remaining a family, the situation became impossible.
We are now in the process of divorce and I want nothing more than to be able to spend time with and parent my amazing children as they grow, but legal disagreements on interpretation of the initial court order have stood in the way of my sons and I being together.
Despite paying child support and being awarded placement/parenting time by the court, I have been unable to spend time with the children without interference. I tried week after week to pick Adrian up for placement, and even with the assistance of law enforcement was unable to effectuate my awarded time to bond with him.
It became necessary to file a Motion to Enforce Placement due to the interference and I have had to take off work for a multitude of extensive hearings (recently via Zoom due to Covid-19) to get my case heard. Thankfully, the judge found in my favor on 4/16/20 and starting in late April I will have overnight time at my home on weekends with both of my wonderful sons. There are now stipulations in place from the judge to assist should any party attempt to interfere further. Unfortunately this has become a high-conflict divorce and though the recent ruling is a great victory for my sons and I, the legal struggle to maintain the relationship with my children is far from over.
All of this has come with a steep cost, financially and emotionally. I was only able to make the progress I have due to the help of competent and thorough legal counsel and the support of friends and family. In the marriage, my wife was the breadwinner as I had previously been a touring musician. Since our split I have struggled to get back on my feet. I have recently secured full time employment and am attempting to put my life back together to build a future with my sons. I was only able to retain a lawyer due to the generous offer of a loan by concerned friends. I now owe them for these legal fees and more will be needed for upcoming actions and hearings. So many of you, my family and friends, have reached out saying you would like to help and suggesting I start this fund. The outpouring of support has been humbling and has helped carry me through what has been the most heartbreaking experience of my life, being separated from my children and navigating the dissolution of my marriage. I am beyond grateful for the ongoing support from all of you and the generosity of all the people I feel honored to have as friends.
Due to the sensitive nature of this situation, I would suggest that for anyone who would like to donate here to help me pay/repay my legal fees (thank you!) to please check the box marked "Don't display my name publicly on the campaign." GoFundMe will still notify me of your name privately, so that I can respond and express my gratitude. I am also happy to discuss things privately and answer questions but with this being a high-conflict situation, public anonymity seems to be the most prudent approach at this time.
Your very grateful friend,
Gabe
PLEASE NOTE: Again, I will change all donations listed to "Anonymous" unless you tell me specifically not to. GoFundMe still alerts to your name privately. Thanks.
PREVIOUS REGARDING LEGAL FEES:
My sons Adrian and Kai are the greatest joy of my life. Adrian will be 2 in June and Kai just turned 7 months. My marriage to their mother was rocky from the outset. Despite my best efforts to make everything work for the sake of remaining a family, the situation became impossible.
We are now in the process of divorce and I want nothing more than to be able to spend time with and parent my amazing children as they grow, but legal disagreements on interpretation of the initial court order have stood in the way of my sons and I being together.
Despite paying child support and being awarded placement/parenting time by the court, I have been unable to spend time with the children without interference. I tried week after week to pick Adrian up for placement, and even with the assistance of law enforcement was unable to effectuate my awarded time to bond with him.
It became necessary to file a Motion to Enforce Placement due to the interference and I have had to take off work for a multitude of extensive hearings (recently via Zoom due to Covid-19) to get my case heard. Thankfully, the judge found in my favor on 4/16/20 and starting in late April I will have overnight time at my home on weekends with both of my wonderful sons. There are now stipulations in place from the judge to assist should any party attempt to interfere further. Unfortunately this has become a high-conflict divorce and though the recent ruling is a great victory for my sons and I, the legal struggle to maintain the relationship with my children is far from over.
All of this has come with a steep cost, financially and emotionally. I was only able to make the progress I have due to the help of competent and thorough legal counsel and the support of friends and family. In the marriage, my wife was the breadwinner as I had previously been a touring musician. Since our split I have struggled to get back on my feet. I have recently secured full time employment and am attempting to put my life back together to build a future with my sons. I was only able to retain a lawyer due to the generous offer of a loan by concerned friends. I now owe them for these legal fees and more will be needed for upcoming actions and hearings. So many of you, my family and friends, have reached out saying you would like to help and suggesting I start this fund. The outpouring of support has been humbling and has helped carry me through what has been the most heartbreaking experience of my life, being separated from my children and navigating the dissolution of my marriage. I am beyond grateful for the ongoing support from all of you and the generosity of all the people I feel honored to have as friends.
Due to the sensitive nature of this situation, I would suggest that for anyone who would like to donate here to help me pay/repay my legal fees (thank you!) to please check the box marked "Don't display my name publicly on the campaign." GoFundMe will still notify me of your name privately, so that I can respond and express my gratitude. I am also happy to discuss things privately and answer questions but with this being a high-conflict situation, public anonymity seems to be the most prudent approach at this time.
Your very grateful friend,
Gabe
PLEASE NOTE: Again, I will change all donations listed to "Anonymous" unless you tell me specifically not to. GoFundMe still alerts to your name privately. Thanks.
Organizer
Gabriel Shaw
Organizer
McHenry, IL