My Story — A Mother Fighting to Bring Her Baby Back Home

My name is Alexa, and I never imagined I would be writing something like this.

I am a Brazilian mother, living alone in Florida, fighting every single day to get my baby son back, he was only 6

months and breastfeeding.

I had a very good life in Brazil — a stable career, my family close to me, a home, and a future I had built with so much dedication. I left everything behind. I sold all my belongings, walked away from my entire support system, and came to the United States for love, believing I was building a beautiful new family and a safe life for my child.

When I arrived, I had no relatives, no friends, and I became financially dependent. Behind closed doors, there were emotional conflicts and a history of domestic tension that I tried to ignore, hoping things would eventually get better.

Everything changed during one argument because weed and I dont like any kind of drugs.

started filming me, and instinctively I touched his cellphone to stop him from recording me. Just to protect me!

That simple gesture — touching his phone, not him — resulted in me being charged with “Battery – Touch or Strike.”

I did not hurt anyone, my son was sleeping that time.

I did not strike anyone

I touched the device, not his body — but I was treated like a criminal.

I was arrested, alone, terrified, and completely unprepared for what happened next.

From that moment on, my life collapsed.

My 6 month-old baby was taken from me, and I have not seen him in months.

I also lost access to my two little dogs, who were part of my emotional support and were with me through my entire life and I bring from Brazil! A Shitsu and a York. I am worry of them too.

I walked away from that home with nothing — no car, no belongings, no savings, and no family in this country.

I have been fighting through the legal system to prove that I am not a danger — that I am simply a mother in an impossible situation, trying desperately to get her child back. But attorney fees in Florida, especially in family and criminal cases, are extremely high. Without a lawyer, I cannot defend myself or reclaim my rights as a mother.

I have been working nonstop, doing everything I possibly can to save enough money to hire an attorney.

I am exhausted, but I keep going because my son is my life.

It has been months since I last held him, and every day feels heavier. I am terrified of Florida’s laws and how easily a foreign mother with no support system can lose her child here.

I also dream of rescuing my two little dogs — and, in the future, sending them safely back to Brazil where they can be cared for by my family. But right now, the lawyer is the absolute priority. If I cannot resolve my legal situation, I cannot save my son, nor can I recover my pets.

I am sharing my story not only to fight for my son, but also to help other women — — understand how quickly their lives can change, how vulnerable they can become, and how important it is to know their rights. I want my pain to serve a purpose. I want to prevent others from losing everything the way I did.

Today, I am asking for help because I cannot continue this battle alone anymore.

Every donation will go directly toward:

• Attorney fees (my most urgent need)

• Legal motions and filing costs

• Steps to restore my rights as a mother

• And later, when possible, rescuing my two dogs and sending them safely to Brazil

I am asking for the chance to be a mother again — to hold my baby, rebuild my life, and use my voice to help other women who feel trapped and unheard.

Thank you for reading my story.

Thank you for caring.

And thank you for giving me a chance to fight for my child.

With all my heart,

Alexa

@alexabrucoli