Help a Loving Mom and 2 Older Children Reunite with Her 4-Year-Old Daughter

Hi, my name is Cora, and I’m a mom to three amazing children — ages 14, 9, and 4. For years, I was a full-time stay-at-home mom, caring for my children and building a life around them. I never imagined I’d be in the situation I am today — fighting to be reunited with my youngest daughter after a false emergency protective order (EPO) was used to separate us.

My ex — the father of my 4-year-old — filed an EPO that was based on false claims. He knew it wouldn’t hold up, and it didn’t. A counter-EPO was even approved in my favor but was also dismissed. Judge wants us to file a custody motion.. But before the truth could fully come out, he used that brief window to force me and my children out of our home — and then illegally locked me out with Franklin KY PD's help. Despite being told I could return (by the judge, my attorney, cps, sheriffs, and police), I was effectively evicted, and now my baby girl is being kept from me and her older siblings, as if the EPO still exists. It does not.

The police say they need custody paperwork or a court order to help. Legal aid told me they don’t have the resources to assist. The court clerk says I need an attorney to file for custody. And the judge won't review anything unless it’s a custody motion — which requires a retainer and filing fees I simply can’t afford.

On top of that, the only vehicle I had — my car — was taken and destroyed by my ex, who used it daily until it broke down. He then gave me a van but never put it in my name, leaving me with **no transportation**, no home, no job and now... no access to my little girl.

So far, I’ve spent $2,000 trying to fight the original EPO and keep my kids afloat. I now urgently need to raise **at least $5,000** to hire a family court attorney who can help me **file for custody** and get my daughter back where she belongs — with me and her siblings. Every dollar raised will go directly to legal fees, court costs, filing for custody and any necessities my children need.

I found out 08/06/25 when consulting a lawyer that I had court 08/08/25 where my ex has now filed for emergency sole custody. Once again, based on lies. How does one attempt to steal their own child without court order papers??

I asked for a continuance to obtain a lawyer thinking it would just be a week or two. It is set for 09/22/25. And of course they didn't set up anything for me to see her in the meantime.

He's kept her away from society. Not bringing her to her extracurriculars. Not bringing her to cps ordered therapy. His family helping keep her away from me. One police department stating I can pick her up from babysitters, another stating I cannot and they won't help without court papers.

This has been the hardest season of our lives. I’ve been emotionally, financially, and mentally abused — but I’m not giving up. I will do everything I can to bring my daughter home. If you can donate, share, or just keep us in your prayers, I’m truly grateful.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

— Cora Austin

#BringEvaHome #ReuniteMyFamily