Help Bring Stacy Home

Hello,
    My name is Vanessa Sorrells. I am a divorced yet super proud mommy to 5 gorgeous and smart kids. I come before you, humbly asking for your help.
    Recently my ex husband, Justin, filed for custody of our 9 year old son together, Stacy. Justin's actions were solely influenced by money and his not wanting to pay child support. Justin had been harassing me to dismiss the nearly 7 grand that he owed in back child support. We had a child support review hearing set. However, I refused to dismiss his arrears. That lead him to (that very day) impounding my vehicle (which I was granted in our divorce and he had no right to repossess but the vehicle was legally still in his name) and his filing for custody (Justin would go on to mention in court that I was then without a vehicle and unable to transport my kids.. Atop of his false claims).

    A few short days later, I was served a citation to appear in court on a motion to modify child parent relations. Justin made all sorts of wild and absurd false accusations against me in his attempt to gain custody of our son. Even claimed our son had been sexually assaulted in my home... Yep, he went that far...

    Although I had consulted with an attorney prior to this particular hearing, I was unable to afford the retainer fee required by the said lawyer. However, I was commended for having had gathered all the facts and having had them properly documented, notarized and or stamped. Therefore, I left her office confident that in all reality I had nothing to worry about other than of course my not being able to hire her in time for our hearing. I would go on to represent myself not having the knowledge that I could have requested more time in order to be able to hire an attorney. Huge mistake!! I quickly learned that it would ultimately then be his false words against my facts. I was also without knowledge that without my submitting my defense and facts to his lawyer prior to our hearing (so that they in turn, could prepare their defense), that EVERYTHING that I had in my own defense would ultimately be his lawyers say in rather or not it was approved to be then passed to the judge for his ability to take into consideration. I was straight railroaded! Justin was granted temporary custody. I on the otherhand, was left in pure disbelief, devastated and even more so, heart broken.
(Photo taken as we said our goodbyes the day of our initial hearing. )




    Justin would go on to keep my son from me. He was and has been, prevented from calling me and I, him. He was kept from me on Mother's Day, Thanksgiving and even Christmas. I am also excluded from all school events. Any and all attempts to erase me from my son's life are practically being taken to the best of Justin and his mother's ability. I personally bought Stacy a phone for Christmas so that he would be able to finally call me when he wanted. It's what he asked for. And still... He says his Nanny has taken his phone and put it up. When I call it's rejected as if turned off. Both Justin and his mother talk down of me to Stacy. He is told that I do not love him nor do I want him and that if I did, I'd be doing something about it. Stacy is told by his Nanny that I am the last person he should want to be with yet alone want to call "mommy". His emotional well being is being neglected and is at stake here also. But it doesn't stop there. Stacy has endured chipped teeth, a broken rib and a hurt ankle all under Justin and his mothers care (Justin lives with his mother whom both reside with her probably now 6th, but anyways considerably wealthy husband). I would go on to be the one to have Stacy treated by a doctor after learning of the above mentioned incidents. Although under their care, they neglected to do so.

   Recently, I learned (through Stacy) of a final hearing in which I was neither informed of nor served in regards to. Stacy, whom is always telling me he wants to come home and asking when will he be able to, hopped in my truck at the time of pick up for our most recent visitation. He proceeded to question me in regards to how come I wasn't there because he had been waiting for that moment to finally be able to get to come home (if only it were that easy). He was referring to court. I, shocked and without knowledge in regards to what he was talking about, called Justin to find out. Initially, Justin claimed he didn't know what Stacy was talking about. Then proceeded to tell me this and that and how he won and so forth. My mind, all over the place, didn't hear much of anything else he said. Instead, my world had just felt to be at it's end.

 
  Stacy often states, within every visit actually, how he wants to come back home. That he misses me and his siblings. That daddy is never there and that he's always just left with Nanny and without anybody to play with. Stacy has even attempted to give me his piggy bank before after my trying to explain to him how I was having to save up for a lawyer before I could proceed any further in trying to bring him home. I can't even describe how broken that moment alone had left me..

    I've promised him that I was NOT going to give up nor stop fighting to have him back home with us. That's a promise I intend to keep. One way or another. But I'm running out of time. I need your help. I have to hire an attorney asap in order to file the needed motions. Motion to Vacate Default Judgement (since I was not served for the final hearing and the district clerks office has provided proof). And Motion to a retrial but this time with a great lawyer by my side! 4-6 days a month is simply just NOT enough time for me to be able to be with my son! I did NOT have kids for anyone else to raise them.

    My kids are my responsibility and I take that responsibility on proudly! Justin on the other hand initially wanted me to abort Stacy after learning of the pregnancy. And since, has never put our son before himself, his race cars, money or his bar hopping, drinking and/or outings with friends! All of which are his pride and joy before Stacy even gets considered..   I chose to carry and have my son. I chose and still, will forever choose to raise my son myself, with or without his help! Along with the rest of my kids. Now I'm choosing to set aside all my pride and desperately ask for your help in bringing Stacy home.
 
  I regretfully admit that I can't do it by myself. Not in the time limit that I've been given. I'm trying, trying, and trying to save up on my own and still be able to provide properly for my other 4 kids. But, I am running out of time. I can't wait till my son is 12 and old enough to decide for himself in regards to the courts. I just can't. Nor does he himself want to.  Therefore, I desperately need and ask for your help. I will forever and ever be truly grateful beyond measure. I have since, consulted with a few other attorneys and have found the best one for me and my case. I just need help coming up with his retainer fee and court costs. Anything helps and will in all honesty, always be remembered and appreciated. I also ask for prayers regarding this matter and for the strength to get through this.

    I will not stop fighting for my son. I refuse to give up. I will have him back home with me one way or another. But, with your help, I can make that a reality a lot sooner for the both of us. So again, I graciously ask for your help and thank you kindly with every ounce of my heart. I will forever be grateful for any amount of, and for all donations. This means the world to me, He means the world to me. Truly. Thank you again, and God Bless. ~Vanessa