Help Bring Lucas Home—Protect His Health, Safety & Childhood

Have you ever lived your life for one purpose? If that purpose were ripped away, how would you feel?

My whole life, I knew I wanted to help people, to be a good person—and to be a mother. The day I had Lucas, I discovered my purpose. The day he was sent to Texas, I felt like I was missing all of my limbs. I didn’t know how to function anymore. I no longer had someone to make breakfast, lunch, and creative fun snacks for; no more school projects to plan; no one to be silly with. My best friend—the person who was with me every single day and gave me purpose—was suddenly gone. I’m still fighting to bring him home and to keep him safe, healthy, and happy.

Help Me Hire a Family-Law Attorney to Bring My Son Home Safely—Urgently

In 2020, I packed my little red Jetta with whatever would fit and left Texas with my son to escape years of abuse. We started over up north.

In 2021, while he was still in my care, I took him to a routine dental visit. The dentist found the start of a cavity and told me to schedule a follow-up. Before I could, Texas ordered my son back to his father. I stayed and vowed to fight—man, it has been a fight. I promised my son I’d keep going, and I’ve had to do it from a distance to stay safe. I am not safe around his father without family or friends to protect me. Fighting from afar at least keeps me alive—so my son still has a mom.

What I can prove

I’m not guessing. I have years of documentation showing a four-year gap in basic medical and dental care since 2021:

No primary care physician on file (dropped for lapse in care).

No routine doctor’s appointments.

No urgent care or ER visits even when sick or injured.

No dental care, even though Dad knew in 2021 a cavity had started.

What happened this summer (and why it’s urgent)

During my court-ordered summer visitation this year, my son had debilitating tooth pain. I got him seen immediately. The exam found an infected root that needs an extraction or a root canal, plus two additional cavities. I scheduled the definitive treatment for September 11.

To protect him, I also filed for temporary emergency orders. The judge granted an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)—“ex parte” means the judge can sign it without first hearing from the other side when there’s urgent risk. A TRO is short-term and typically expires in about 14 days or when the court holds the next hearing (unless extended). The judge signed mine based on my sworn affidavit and exhibits documenting medical/dental neglect, instability from frequent travel, and parental alienation (including texts). That TRO has now expired, and since then his father has had him back in Texas.

I did request the follow-up hearing on time and stayed on top of it. But while I waited, I was told weeks later that the wording in my motion was procedurally incorrect. The court can’t tell a self-represented person exactly how to fix it (that’s legal advice), so I ended up in a loop. The TRO lapsed because of technical filing issues and docket delays—not because a judge heard the merits and denied me. This is why I need an attorney: to get the language right, set a prompt hearing, and finally let the court hear the substance.

After I got him examined and scheduled for treatment, his father later set up a basic checkup/cleaning—which I had already done. The Texas dentist also recommended an endodontist (the same next step we’d already been given). It’s now been well over a month, and my son still hasn’t been taken for the root canal/extraction. An infected root can lead to an abscess and become dangerous if ignored. From where I stand, that “extra” appointment looked like saving face for court—not fixing the problem.

The caregiving reality (and why this matters)

At our first orders hearing, Dad told the court he had a “new job” and would be home every night. In real life, his work has long been travel-heavy—different cities, states, and sometimes countries—with no set schedule. For years (even when we were together), I was the day-to-day parent, including long stretches handling everything solo. When he travels, instead of leaving our son with me, he’s used a rotation of caregivers (ex-girlfriends, elderly parents, and a relative whose alcohol use has left my son uncomfortable and feeling responsible for an adult). My affidavit and notes reflect this pattern. Our son needs stability, medical follow-through, and a parent who is present.

Why I need help now

Since June, I’ve pulled all-nighters that bleed into mornings—learning the rules, drafting, re-drafting, trying to file everything exactly right. I keep getting tripped up by tiny procedural landmines and “magic words.” The clerk can’t give legal advice. It feels like fumbling in the dark, and there are deadlines that make waiting risky.

After I asked for a hearing on temporary orders and modification, my ex hired an aggressive attorney. I’ve chased pro bono and called firms, but solid lawyers here quote $5,000–$7,000 retainers plus hourly. We poured our savings into a home renovation we have to finish and sell; there’s no spare cushion. I also have a baby girl now. I’ve taken this as far as I can—now I need someone who knows the rules of the game to get this in front of the judge properly and fast.

Family courts are supposed to decide cases by the best interests of the child. In practice, having experienced counsel matters. I’m asking for help so the judge can see the full record—clearly and correctly—without more procedural setbacks.

Asking for help is hard for me

I carry a lot of pride. I don’t like asking for anything—ever. But I’m choosing my son’s well-being over my pride. Hitting “publish” on this is one of the hardest things I’ve done.

What your donation will fund

Hire a family-law attorney to review, fix, and correctly file my modification & temporary-orders pleadings

Set and secure hearings so the court actually hears the merits

Present my documentation (records, timelines, messages) the right way

Court costs, copies, service, and required travel

Goal: $10,000 (stretch $15,000) to cover the retainer + early hearing work and costs. Every dollar goes to the legal fund for this case.

Why this matters

My son has one childhood. He’s 12—these years don’t come back. I’m not trying to erase his dad; I’m fighting for consistent medical/dental care and everyday stability with a parent who’s present. I’ve done everything I can alone. Now I need counsel to carry it the last mile.

If you can donate—thank you. If you can’t, sharing helps more than you know. Little by little becomes a lot.

With love and gratitude,

Nichole