Bring Leela Home to Her Loving Mom

Dear friends, families and neighbors,

I am fundraising for enough money for legal fees to petition for custody of my youngest child, Leela, to come live with me. She had currently reached out, asking to come live with me, so I need to obtain an attorney to process this petition.

She is currently living with her father and soon-to-be new stepmom. It's been a long battle since my separation and divorce. The original agreement during our divorce was a civil standing point, where we have shared custody and we have our kids 50/50. As time moved on, and my ex bought a house with his new woman, which literally was down the street from me, I began to see less and less of my kids because there's always some reason or excuse. I didn't think he would be cruel enough to completely alienate me from them. Then, Christmas of 2021 was the last time I got to see my children. They came and spent a few hours, packed what they wanted from my home, and I never saw them again. I would text and call, but it was radio silent. A few months in, I was served with the petition of him requesting for full custody (he won), utilizing the fact that the kids have been staying with him every day. It was a really rough time for me, from getting furloughed during COVID and barely staying afloat; I just couldn't afford legal representation. He had also requested that I am to pay child support, which I have.

I admit I was not in the best state of mind. I felt hurt and betrayed, and he just knows how to trigger me in every way possible, so that it would play in his favor. I was stupid; I fell for it and was very reactive. I turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism (another stupid decision) and was angry all the time. I felt like what I had and knew was just all crumbling right before my eyes. My spirit was broken, and I was a shell of a person. I would lay in my daughter's bed and cry myself to sleep. In the end, he won the custody battle, along with me having to pay child support. Still, the agreement was that I am allowed to see my children and have communication with them. But to no avail, I was not able to reach them. He blocked all communications, even to the extent of sending back gifts I had mailed to them. Mentally knowing they are just down the street, I wanted to just go knock down their door and demand to see my kids. Knowing this will not solve anything, nor will it help my situation, as that was how he won custody in the first place.

I rebuilt myself mentally, physically, and financially as best as I could. I sought out group support/therapy where other parents are going through the same thing as I am. All in all, I believed that my children would be okay, safe, and happy. So I didn't mind paying the child support that my ex had requested. I guess that was not the case for one of my daughters. I didn't realize the extent of her situation or condition until I received a phone call over the weekend, with her in tears asking if she can come live with me. I felt helpless as a parent, not being able to comfort her, hold her, and tell her things will be alright and I am here. She wants to run away from home, and she doesn't want to live with them anymore. She doesn't feel safe, nor is she happy. She is isolated from her friends and family.

So I am here, asking for any donations to help me raise enough money for the legal fees to petition for custody of my child to come live with me. No parent or child should be alienated from each other. Nor should a child not feel safe and secure in a home they are to feel protected and loved. I want to thank those of you in advance for helping out in any way possible. Even if it's just to spread the word to help this mother be reunited with her own child.