Bring Carmella and Mateo Back Home

Help Me Bring Carmella & Mateo Home – Fighting a Custody Battle Against My Abuser

Hi, my name is Amber,

And I never thought I’d be here—pleading for help just to be a mother to my own children. But I am. And I’m doing it because I refuse to let Carmella and Mateo grow up in the same cycle of control, manipulation, and abuse that I did.

Right now, I’m in a custody battle against my own mother—a woman who has emotionally abused and manipulated me my entire life. Despite everything I’ve done to support her, despite buying and providing everything for my kids, and even helping her financially… she has banned me from seeing Carmella and Mateo. She’s trying to take them away from me completely.

I thought I was able to trust my mother to watch my babies for me while I worked and she always made excuses as to why I couldn’t pick them up from her or even call them on breaks at work. I told her I had enough of her excuses and was coming to get them and to make sure they had their things packed and ready to leave and that is when I found out she had this court order. I wasn’t served papers or notified of this prior to this conversation with her.

She has used the legal system to gain control, spinning lies and weaponizing my love and trust against me. But I have proof of everything I’ve done—receipts, records, documentation—showing how deeply I’ve provided for my children and even for her.

This isn’t a custody fight. This is a fight for our freedom.

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About My Babies:

Carmella is my bright, beautiful oldest daughter. She is sweet, silly, caring, and full of honesty. She loves pink and rainbows and doesn’t hesitate to speak up when something’s wrong. She’s brave, bold, and filled with everything good this world needs more of.

Mateo is my sunshine baby. His laugh could heal the darkest days. He’s healthy, giggly, and so full of love. He thrives with attention and gives it back in the most joyful, pure ways.

They are my heart.

And right now, I’m fighting to bring them home where they’re safe, loved, and free from manipulation.

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I’m Not Alone in This Fight:

Standing beside me every step of the way is my partner, Austin.

He is not just my boyfriend—he is a pillar of strength in this storm. He has shown up for my kids in every way that matters. He puts Carmella and Mateo before himself, every single day. He’s kind, patient, nurturing, and he loves them with his whole heart—as if they were his own. I could not ask for a more selfless, grounded, loving man to stand beside me as we fight for our family.

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Where Your Support Goes:

We’re asking for $10,000 to cover everything we need to bring Carmella and Mateo home:

    •    $4,500 – Retainer for a trauma-informed, custody-focused attorney

    •    $2,000 – Court filing fees, mediation, and document processing

    •    $1,500 – Emergency backup fund for any needs Carmella & Mateo may have during this fight

    •    $1,000 – Reserved for ongoing legal motions, follow-ups, travel, and court requirements

    •    $1,000 – GoFundMe fees and processing costs taken out of donations

This isn’t just money. This is our lifeline. This is what stands between my kids and the cycle I’ve spent my life trying to break.

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What This Means:

I’ve poured everything I have into being a mother. I’ve sacrificed for my children. I’ve supported my own abuser financially and emotionally. And now she’s trying to take away the two people I love more than anything.

This is about justice. Truth. And protection.

It’s about giving Carmella and Mateo the stable, loving home they already had—before it was ripped away.

If you can donate, share, or even just send a prayer, please know you are helping us build a future full of healing, love, and freedom.

Thank you for believing in me.

Thank you for helping me fight for my babies.

Thank you for being part of this miracle.

With all my love,

Amber

#BringCarmellaAndMateoHome

#JusticeForAmber

#BreakTheCycle

#StandWithSurvivors

#SupportAmberAndAustin