Bring Jojo home!!!

There aren’t many that know, and social media is not the place for airing our dirty laundry… but this is so much more than that. In this desperate cry for help, I will not speak ill of those who have made this a reality as that is not at all bringing my baby home. With me is where she belongs, has always been, and wants to be. I’m asking that everyone else respect this post and do the same.

Friday May 6, 2022- Jolie got off the school bus to her father who was waiting in my driveway for her because it was his weekend. This was normal, there was no reason for me to suspect otherwise at this time. I went to work both Friday and Saturday as usual. Working in the restaurant business my whole life, I was excited to know that Sunday, May 8 was Mother’s Day and I only had to work until 4 and would have her back at 6pm to celebrate. She was excited as well for “girls day”. Little did we both know, she wouldn’t be coming home on Mother’s Day or even at all. I was sent a text by her father containing a picture of an emergency custody order signed by a judge on May 6. As a result of the obvious emotional distress, I lost not only my daughter but my job that day.

I know your next thought is how? “A child cannot be taken from the mother if there isn’t a really good reason!!” I used to think the same thing. Before this, I’d never even heard of an ex parte order. It’s since been made clear to me that with the financial means, anyone can compile a list of “accusations”, hire an attorney, and do something as undeserved and horrible as this. Fourteen terrible, embarrassing and slandering accusations that were bad enough to have my child ripped from my home without me even knowing. I will admit that out of the accusations made, three are true. Three that in no way could justify what has been done to me and Jojo. Anyone that knows me knows that my life revolves around loving and providing for my children and I have done a really great job at doing so. For probably 90% of the 15 years I have been a mother, I’ve done all of that on my own. It’s made me strong, resilient, confident and even an inspiration to those who’ve watched me make it happen. After the initial shock wore off of something I never imagined could or would happen to me, I reached out in panic to a friend who led me to a very nice set of people willing to help me for free. They worked long and hard to help and they did as much as they possibly could. The only thing, they don’t specialize in child custody. After filing a motion for a hearing and attending said hearing on May 26, I was regrettably told that I needed to find someone that specialized in this area of work that could better assist me. If the ones who worked hard and insane hours to help as much as they could are reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Not only were you selfless to try, you were also selfless in always reassuring me that everything would one day be okay. You kept me as sane as I could possibly be.

Rewind, May 6 was my last “i love you” exchanged with my kindergartner. With it being the end of the school year, there were kindergarten activities on May 13 I wanted to attend. I was permitted to go, but under strict and unrealistic circumstances which I’ll be glad to share. “The Mother is prohibited from in any manner contacting or having any interaction, of any nature, with the minor child or the Father and Step-Mother while at the said festivities. The Mother is prohibited from in any manner causing disruption in the festivities for the minor child or the other children. It is advised by the Court for the Mother to observe the festivities from a removed position and to refrain from causing any disturbance while at the school.

DONE AND ORDERED, THIS 13th DAY OF MAY. 2022.” In addition, I was advised to try to not be seen. If she spotted me and came to me on her own, I was to give her a quick hug and tell her I have to go. It had already been a full week since I’d seen her or even heard her voice and I knew I could never be that strong, so I decided not to go. May 18, I was awarded a supervised visit at 6pm at Chick-fil-A. We spent 2 hours together and somehow it hurt worse than the 12 days of nothing at all. When it was time to say goodbye, she broke. We both tried, as we’d talked in Chick-fil-A about how we could be strong, but when she broke, so did I. I made my way to her for one last hug and she yelled mommy all the way to her stepmoms car. I’d never felt that pain before. I was informed the next day that I was reported for causing emotional distress on my child because I was upset and that could potentially cause me to not have anymore visits until we went to court. May 28, I was permitted to attend kindergarten graduation under the same circumstances. I decided to go. She saw me, she was so excited and she kept her eyes on me nearly the whole time while she glowed with happiness and kept giving me tiny waves. As soon as she was able, she came to me. I don’t even remember the words exchanged, the intensity was so much. She held it together but I saw and felt it, we were both so broken hearted. May 26, court hearing day. I was ripped to pieces for 3 hours to the point I couldn’t gather the strength to fight back. I’m sure I made myself look like a weak, uneducated fool. Court was continued for June 1. I knew I couldn’t endure another second of what I’d already went through and without further legal counsel, I decided to settle. I have went from 6 years of nearly every day being Jolie Beth’s mom, cheerleader and best friend to every other weekend. I’ve since had two weekends with her, and despite my attempts to keep the mood as light as possible, her sad moments burst through and destroy us both from the inside out. I was so very fortunate this past weekend to keep her an extra 3 days but the whole last day, she audibly and visibly dreaded 6 pm. I caught her several times doubled over holding her chest and breathing heavily as if she was having an anxiety attack. When I’d ask if she’s okay, she would just tell me “I wasn’t ready for this day.” When she left, I couldn’t possibly explain the intensity of the emotions, she kept making me repeat how many sleeps until we are together again. I had to have someone take her to meet her father for me, I knew I couldn’t be emotional in front of him, I didn’t want to risk losing the time I do have with her. I’ve texted him three days in a row now explaining the anxiety and begging for him to get her in therapy and I haven’t received a reply. The desperation grows every day, I have never longed for anything more in my life. Yesterday, I decided to go to DHR for help. My goal was to find counseling for Jolie, a home study, a drug test, a bunch of drug tests, a bunch of home studies, a record of both to bring her home and assistance in doing so because I thought that’s what they’re there for. I was told that there’s nothing they can do, I just have to hire a lawyer. I have already exhausted the funds I did have to make it through. I have fallen behind on literally every responsibility I have due to being emotionally crippled from the absolute heartbreak of losing her and I have no way of making this happen.

I am generally not one to ask for help, and to be honest, I am so ashamed to do it now. No amount of shame can compare to the desperation Jolie and I are both feeling for her to come home, though. I am being that person and I do not care at this point! I am literally begging, PLEASE help me raise enough money to obtain a lawyer asap before she suffers lifelong mental issues the same way I have due to trauma. Please donate, even $1 per person could save her little broken heart! If you can’t, no one understands better than me, but sharing is free. Please share! Even if you’re one of the ones enjoying watching me in despair, share for that reason. Your mockery of me may reach someone who cares and I’d thank you with the most sincere heart.

Please help me bring my baby home!!!!!!!