Help a Loving Dad Fight for His Daughter’s Safety & Health

Hi, my name is Danielle, and I’m starting this GoFundMe for my dear friend Michael. Our goal is $50k to help support him with this unbelievable sad situation.

Michael is one of the most loving, selfless fathers I’ve ever known. Right now, he’s in the fight of his life—to protect his 11-year-old daughter from a heartbreaking and dangerous situation no child should ever have to face.

He didn’t want to ask for help. He’s been afraid, even embarrassed, to speak up, worried about possible retaliation from the mother. But I’ve seen the heavy burden he’s carrying, and I couldn’t stay silent any longer.

Michael is emotionally exhausted. He’s doing everything in his power to save his daughter. He’s even selling the few things he owns to pay legal bills. He’s not asking for pity. All he wants is for his daughter to be safe.

His little girl is currently living in a home filled with psychological, emotional and verbal abuse, neglect, and isolation. What she’s going through is heartbreaking. And it’s not just emotional pain—her physical health is also in serious danger.

She has severe scoliosis, and her spine is now curved over 80 degrees. They need to fuse 13 discs, all the spinous processes in that area were grounded down, and they needed to cut the tendons in between 10 of her ribs to reduce the curvature of them protruding out of her side. This is a critical condition that requires major surgery. Months ago, Michael tried to get the surgery scheduled during winter break, when the curve was less severe. But his efforts were stalled by a decision split by the mother. I’ve attended what the on her back will look like. Just imagine it on a 11 year old child.

Even worse, her mother ignored important medical instructions. Doctors told her the child needed to wear a back brace 18 hours a day. It was barely used. She also refused to let her daughter get the mental health counseling doctors strongly recommended—to help her deal with both her condition and the emotional challenges of adolescence.

To make matters even more difficult, Michael is being cut out of his daughter’s life. He is being isolated—excluded from important decisions, support, and even time with his own child—the one he’s fighting so hard to protect.

Michael flew to Tennessee on Friday, hoping to spend the weekend with his daughter before her surgery. Unfortunately, he was denied the opportunity to see her by her mother, who claimed they had prior plans that couldn’t be changed. On Monday morning, Michael and his sister went to the hospital for Ava’s surgery. While they were there, her mother demanded that Michael leave the hospital. The mother and Ava weren’t cooperating with surgical team. They wouldn’t take the needed medicine to start the surgery process. And would cause the surgery to be rescheduled and relocated to another hospital.

In order to ensure that Ava received the necessary back surgery, Michael agreed to leave the hospital and not return to visit her. He wasn’t even given the chance to say hello to his daughter. Afterward, Michael asked the hospital’s social worker to check on Ava to make sure she was okay, given that he had to leave without seeing her. He also requested a FaceTime call with his daughter, but her mother denied it, saying the hospital room was too busy with staff always coming into her room.

Throughout the entire hospital stay, Michael was only allowed to see his daughter on her last day at the hospital for a total of 30 minutes. It’s heartbreaking that a devoted father was prevented from seeing his daughter before or after such a major surgery.

Michael has done everything by the book. He’s been documenting everything and following every legal path available. But court cases are expensive. And fighting for custody—especially when there’s resistance and manipulation—requires strong legal help. He just can’t do this alone anymore.

So I’m asking for help on his behalf—because he won’t ask himself.

Donations will go directly toward:

• Legal fees for full custody

• Court costs and related expenses

• Counseling and care for his daughter, especially after her surgery

I’ve watched Michael give up everything—his comfort, his possessions, even his pride—all to protect his daughter. He’s not looking for praise. He just wants to see his little girl safe, healthy, and happy again.

If you can find it in your heart to give, please do. Every bit helps.

With every donation it brings Michael one step closer to saving his daughter. And if you can’t give, please share this page. That matters, too.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for standing up for a little girl who deserves a better life—and for a father who will never stop fighting for her.

With love and hope,

Danielle

"No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe."