Help For Nine Year Old Grandson
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
My name is Rebecca Miller, and I am humbly asking for help in raising money that is desperately needed for my nine year old great nephew.
He was abandoned by his mother when he was eighteen months old and by his father at birth. He has been raised lovingly for the last 8 years by my brother, (his grandfather). My brother and our family have been legally fighting for my nephew to be formally placed in his grandfathers care for many years.
The parents were never married nor have they ever lived together. They met many years before doing illegal things that landed them both in prison.
The mother has come in and out of the picture while on and off drugs and alcohol and as a result the child has suffered abuses both mental and physical that are too heart breaking to put in writing. Because of the abuse, my nephew is afraid of his mother and does not feel safe in her presence.
The father applied for custody approx. 3 years ago having never met his son. He first learned of him (at age 6) but has done virtually nothing to establish a relationship with him. It's beyond my understanding how a parent can say they want their child and then never show up! For his protection, both parents are currently allowed to see him with supervised visitation only.
In all of these years the court system has continued to give the parents chance after chance. Let me tell you what they have done with their last chance...
In the past year and a half, the father has called and seen his son exactly zero times and his mother has seen him on just a couple of occasions, also with limited phone contact. Most of those visits were so traumatic and damaging that he had to be taken to therapy as the mother used those opportunities to speak badly my brother.
From the beginning of the current custody case, we believe the father's sole purpose has been to obtain custody so he can give him to the mother. He is doing this as the mother has chosen not to fulfill the Child Protective Services requirements to prove she is a fit mother.
In my brothers care my nephew is thriving, excelling at school, and is a happy, loving and well adjusted child. Loved by his teachers and friends, and everyone who meets him. He has won many school awards for kindness, cooperation, friendship, respect and honesty that were voted on by his peers. My brother has proven to be an exceptional parent, joyfully giving nearly all of his free time to raising his grandson and it shows everyday. I wish I could send hundreds of pictures to show you the life he has provided for my nephew these past years.
As you may know, there are currently thousands of children being raised by their grandparents for many different reasons. However, the court systems appear to be partial to parents rights over grandparents, giving them the benefit of the doubt even when it's not in a child's best interest. After exhausting all efforts for his safety and future we have no choice but to force a trial, scheduled in the next 2 months.
Even though my brother has been on the same job for over 10 years, his income is hourly and he's missed countless hours of work due to the extensive requirements of the system. After these many years our family is financially drained and emotionally exhausted. Because this has gone on for so long, my brother has spent all his retirement funds and he will still have the cost of raising his grandson for another 9 years which he will gladly do no matter what!
The trial is expected to cost in excess of "tens of thousands". As unbelievable as it may seem , if we are not able to fund the trial we face the real likelihood that the system could hand the child over to a father who clearly doesn't want him and a mother who has repeatedly shown she is incapable of caring for him - just because they gave birth to him. It is heart wrenching to think what would happen to my nephew if he is forced to live with parents who are abusive, unavailable and who at this point are basically strangers. These funds could also make a big difference in adding another court case into law for the future of others in this situation.
My brother and nephew have an extraordinary bond - as much like a father and son as you can imagine. Our entire family, as well as all our friends, support my nephew continuing to be raised by his grandfather.
I can't tell you how much we would appreciate your help! I wish I had the words to express what your help will mean to my great nephews safety and his future.
We are truly grateful for anything you can give and for passing this along to others you know who might be willing to help.
As you can imagine, there is so much more to this story that has gone on for so many years. More than I am able to say in this short time. Please feel free to reach out to me if you'd like to learn more.
I thank you with all my heart for listening, caring and contributing to help this special child who's been through so much!
My name is Rebecca Miller, and I am humbly asking for help in raising money that is desperately needed for my nine year old great nephew.
He was abandoned by his mother when he was eighteen months old and by his father at birth. He has been raised lovingly for the last 8 years by my brother, (his grandfather). My brother and our family have been legally fighting for my nephew to be formally placed in his grandfathers care for many years.
The parents were never married nor have they ever lived together. They met many years before doing illegal things that landed them both in prison.
The mother has come in and out of the picture while on and off drugs and alcohol and as a result the child has suffered abuses both mental and physical that are too heart breaking to put in writing. Because of the abuse, my nephew is afraid of his mother and does not feel safe in her presence.
The father applied for custody approx. 3 years ago having never met his son. He first learned of him (at age 6) but has done virtually nothing to establish a relationship with him. It's beyond my understanding how a parent can say they want their child and then never show up! For his protection, both parents are currently allowed to see him with supervised visitation only.
In all of these years the court system has continued to give the parents chance after chance. Let me tell you what they have done with their last chance...
In the past year and a half, the father has called and seen his son exactly zero times and his mother has seen him on just a couple of occasions, also with limited phone contact. Most of those visits were so traumatic and damaging that he had to be taken to therapy as the mother used those opportunities to speak badly my brother.
From the beginning of the current custody case, we believe the father's sole purpose has been to obtain custody so he can give him to the mother. He is doing this as the mother has chosen not to fulfill the Child Protective Services requirements to prove she is a fit mother.
In my brothers care my nephew is thriving, excelling at school, and is a happy, loving and well adjusted child. Loved by his teachers and friends, and everyone who meets him. He has won many school awards for kindness, cooperation, friendship, respect and honesty that were voted on by his peers. My brother has proven to be an exceptional parent, joyfully giving nearly all of his free time to raising his grandson and it shows everyday. I wish I could send hundreds of pictures to show you the life he has provided for my nephew these past years.
As you may know, there are currently thousands of children being raised by their grandparents for many different reasons. However, the court systems appear to be partial to parents rights over grandparents, giving them the benefit of the doubt even when it's not in a child's best interest. After exhausting all efforts for his safety and future we have no choice but to force a trial, scheduled in the next 2 months.
Even though my brother has been on the same job for over 10 years, his income is hourly and he's missed countless hours of work due to the extensive requirements of the system. After these many years our family is financially drained and emotionally exhausted. Because this has gone on for so long, my brother has spent all his retirement funds and he will still have the cost of raising his grandson for another 9 years which he will gladly do no matter what!
The trial is expected to cost in excess of "tens of thousands". As unbelievable as it may seem , if we are not able to fund the trial we face the real likelihood that the system could hand the child over to a father who clearly doesn't want him and a mother who has repeatedly shown she is incapable of caring for him - just because they gave birth to him. It is heart wrenching to think what would happen to my nephew if he is forced to live with parents who are abusive, unavailable and who at this point are basically strangers. These funds could also make a big difference in adding another court case into law for the future of others in this situation.
My brother and nephew have an extraordinary bond - as much like a father and son as you can imagine. Our entire family, as well as all our friends, support my nephew continuing to be raised by his grandfather.
I can't tell you how much we would appreciate your help! I wish I had the words to express what your help will mean to my great nephews safety and his future.
We are truly grateful for anything you can give and for passing this along to others you know who might be willing to help.
As you can imagine, there is so much more to this story that has gone on for so many years. More than I am able to say in this short time. Please feel free to reach out to me if you'd like to learn more.
I thank you with all my heart for listening, caring and contributing to help this special child who's been through so much!
Organizer
Rebecca Miller
Organizer
Novato, CA