My friend, Frankie, has experienced one of the hardest years a dad could ever have. What should have been a blissful year with a new baby has turned into a nightmare with no end in sight. Frankie's daughter, Caia, was born on August 31, 2024.

Caia’s mother suffered an addiction relapse triggered by severe postpartum depression. Frankie Weidner was doing his best to be a supportive partner and navigate an incredibly challenging situation. In one episode, Caia’s mother violently attacked Frankie, which was documented by police and hospital staff. After this episode she and Caia were placed in a halfway house, while social services coordinated a rehabilitation facility for Caia’s mother to go to. Four days into this stay, Caia’s mother died.

Caia's mother died in MCFD care after being placed and neglected. Frankie wasn't even contacted until 5 days after her passing at 2:30pm on December 9th, when he was told he would need to be in court the next morning in another city. To this day, Caia continues to be held 120 km from her home.

For over 300 days, MCFD has placed condition after condition upon Frankie. He is completing every assignment, course, or requirement MCFD sets, and there is still no return date articulated. 

The physical, mental, and emotional toll is overwhelming. Frankie is spending up to 100 hours a week meeting requirements, as well as travelling to the mainland to visit Caia on the two visitation days MCFD has allowed. 

MCFD has ignored the judge's instructions to allow the maximum time and frequency for visitation. Can you imagine a reality where you lose your partner, and then your infant child is taken away from you?

This GoFundMe is setup so that Frankie has the legal funds to fight this fight. #BringCaiaHome

Legal fees so far total $35K, and are expected to reach another 10K - 12K by the end of the year. Any funds raised from GoFundMe will go straight to pay legal fees.