Baby F is 15 months old. She is still breastfed, and she has relied on her mother for comfort, food and security every day of her life. A month ago she went to stay overnight with her father. The next day, he did not bring her home.

Her mother has not seen her daughter since.

From the day F was born, the two have been inseparable. Her mother goes above and beyond to make sure F is well cared for, safe, loved and happy. Their bond is unbreakable, and F is the centre of her mother’s world. A baby this young, who still depends on her mother in every way, should not be apart from her.

The relationship between F’s parents was abusive. It began, as it so often does, with charm and kindness, and became manipulation, belittling, isolation and financial control, all while a warm and likeable face was shown to the outside world. The father is in the UK on a spousal visa that is due to expire soon. When her mother began divorce proceedings, F was kept from her for the first time until the divorce was dropped.

Abuse does not always end when a relationship does, and using children to maintain control after separation is a recognised form of abuse.

In the UK, both parents named on a birth certificate have equal rights until a court order says otherwise. Until the court decides, F remains away from the person who has been her primary carer since birth. Her mother is now taking the matter to court, but the relationship has left her in significant debt, and she cannot afford the legal support she needs. Her legal team estimates the costs at around £7,000.

Any amount, large or small, helps bring F home. If you can’t give, sharing this page makes a real difference.

For F’s safety and privacy, her mother is choosing to remain anonymous. Thank you for caring about a little girl who needs her mum.