Bringing Zoë home and back to her family

On the devastating day of May 5th, 2019, when my mother died, Zoe was placed in my care as per my mother, Nora Janvier's wishes, and I was entrusted / asked by my mother to take on responsibility to take care of her in the event of my mother's passing.

Over the last four years, there has been an ongoing internal battle over the granted custodial paperwork, which included an adoption plan that unjustly excluded me, despite the fact that Zoe had been living with me, and I had taken on the responsibility of caring for her. While my grandmother would have Zoe on weekends, we cooperated early on. Until eventually, the intense grief interfered with communication, which ended up resulting in frequent instances where I would have to pick her up and bring her back to the house I rented in Miami Gardens.

In recent news, Shayla Persaud Houston came to Miami and abruptly took Zoe to New Jersey without any notice provided to either me or her brother. This incident followed an abusive outburst from my grandmother towards Zoe, prompting our brother to intervene and protect her. Due to this I am now currently working to collect resources to petition for full custody / adoption of my sister. With the unwavering support of my brother, Elijah Barnes, we are resolute in our fight to reunite our family.

Despite my own painful experiences of traumatic childhood abuse within our family, I have strived to provide Zoe with a sense of familial belonging, encouraging her to build relationships with our extended family. I wanted her to know the warmth of family bonds, to develop friendships with Shayla's children, and to experience the love of her grandmother.

In the face of my struggles with the aftermath of grief, divorce, financial burdens, and the complexities of parenthood after loss, I remained steadfast in my commitment to Zoe's well-being. I battled to maintain my own health and supported the mental wellness of our grieving family, understanding the importance of a stable and nurturing environment for Zoe's upbringing.

Initially, I reluctantly agreed to share custody with our grandmother, on the condition that she would not invite the individual who had previously abused our mother into her home. Regrettably, instead of providing a safe and loving environment for Zoe, Carmelle has subjected her to neglect, manipulation, and emotional abuse, stemming from her own entrenched disciplinary methods and lack of support in her grieving process. Zoe deserves so much more than this.

The relentless legal struggle to regain custody, along with the emotional anguish of being apart from Zoe, has significantly impacted my health. Recently, I was rushed to the hospital on the day I discovered her abrupt removal from the state, suffering a minor heart attack that triggered an asthma episode, leaving me unable to communicate or take any immediate action. The requirement for legal representation and the associated financial strain have only added to the burden already bearing down on me.

Your support for this custody lawsuit fund is vital in helping me secure the legal aid necessary to bring Zoe back to the loving and nurturing home she deserves. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make an indelible impact in our determined fight to protect Zoe and provide her with the stability and care she desperately needs.

If you had the privilege of knowing my mother and can vouch for her earnest desire for me to be Zoe's primary caregiver in the unfortunate event of her passing, please come forward with any information you may have. Your testimony could be crucial in ensuring that Zoe is reunited with her rightful guardians and provided with the love and care she deserves.

The funds raised through this campaign will play a crucial role in alleviating the financial burdens associated with the legal fees, travel expenses, and supplementary support fees essential for this case. As the exact costs of this legal battle are yet to be determined, I have structured the scale of this fundraiser to be flexible, adjusting as the expenses unfold. Rest assured, every expenditure will be meticulously documented and made transparent, ensuring complete visibility into how the funds are utilized.

While pursuing this custody case, I am also maintaining my profession designing and creating brand strategies. Juggling the demands of my professional life along with the responsibility of covering my personal expenses, including rent and other financial obligations, has been an ongoing challenge. Your contributions will not only provide critical support for the legal proceedings but also help alleviate the financial strain of an adoption case and maintenance.

Thank you for your understanding and support during this challenging time. Your contributions will make a significant difference in our fight to bring Zoe back home.

Thank you for your unwavering support and solidarity during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

Nadia R. + Elijah B.

Update * : Lawyer secured, police reports filed, DCF case opened and additional documents supporting my mother's wishes have been collected. Thank you to those who are actively interacting to check on our health and sanity during this trying time.

** Lawyer retracted by January due to complications of case + limitations of legal agency, so revisiting legal support.**

Update #2 : Today 12/27/23 makes 70 days of absolutely no contact or communication with Zoe.

Update #3 : As of 3/29/24, I have now been assigned my court date after filing documentation for custodial rights of Zoë. Thank you for your ongoing support.