My name is Destiny, and I’m creating this fundraiser to help with the ongoing custody battle for my daughter, Ayva. For many years, her father has used threats, intimidation and manipulation to keep her from me — never following our custody order! Because I couldn’t afford a lawyer. I didn’t know my rights, and he took full advantage of that. Even after the court granted 50/50 custody, he continued to ignore the court orders only allowing me to have her when he decided which was only a few hours on certain days. The Police were never any help bc of Custody being a Civil matter. He continued to manipulate every situation. Out of fear and not knowing the law or my rights I stayed quiet for years, I watched him completely break my daughter's spirit! A father is supposed to be a daughter's protector, and unfortunately for my daughter she has always been put last. She has said many times that she feels like she doesn't belong or matter to anyone. The toll on her mental/emotional health has landed her in Behavioral Health on 2 different occasions. Diagnosed with Major depression and anxiety. He has called her fat, a phycho, bipolar, a spoiled brat, he doesn't love her, she's crazy, and she's the worst child ever. The emotional toll of repeatedly having to deal with bullies in a home that is supposed to be her safe space is heartbreaking. ” My daughter deserves stability and safety — not to be bullied emotionally and mentally. Many calls have been to CPS against her dad by multiple different professionals. She's resorting to running away luckily coming to my house but it's so dangerous for a 9 yr old at 3 am in the morning to walk over 20 blocks in freezing temperatures.

Ayva suffers tremendously in that environment. her dad is an alcoholic! I have a lot of documentation, recorded calls, conversations bc he is a liar and will deny everything if you don't have proof. There's so much more to this. The cost would be great considering the people who need to be summoned to court on Ayva's behalf. Ayva has went through 3 therapist and the one I spoke to said if she's summoned to court it would cost $200/hour! I just want the chance to protect her and stand up for her without being threatened or pushed into silence.

I’m asking for help to cover the legal fees needed to finally challenge these patterns, to secure an arrangement, to make sure Ayva’s emotional well-being is at the center of every decision. Any support — financial or simply sharing this — means more than I can express. I'm scared that one day if I don't do everything in my power to help my babygirl something will happen to her bc I didn't try hard enough to help her... In the very beginning I thought I was making the best decision for my daughter in that moment since we were going our separate ways I had to start from scratch and rebuild never thinking he would keep my child from me. He never wanted the separation our child was his way of getting back at me and he completely used her as a pawn! I had to realize this all the hard way bc if I knew he would do this I would have fought back in the very beginning .

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for standing with us during this incredibly difficult and emotional journey.

I’m asking for help to cover the legal fees needed to finally challenge these patterns, to secure a fair custody arrangement, and to make sure Ayva’s emotional well-being is at the center of every decision.

Any support — financial or simply sharing this — means more than I can express. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for standing with us during this incredibly difficult and emotional journey.