Help Jesica Fight for Justice & Safety After Court Failures

My name is Emma Hartley, daughter of Debra Hartley Rivera, and I’m starting this fundraiser for a woman named Jesica Lloyd, who is in urgent need of support, legal protection, and basic resources for herself and her children in Limestone County, Alabama.

Jesica is a survivor of domestic violence. More than that, she is a mother who is being completely failed by the court system.

Judge Chad Wise, the judge presiding over her case, gave full custody of her children and ownership of the home to her abusive ex. Jesica was left homeless, with no job, no money, and no access to any marital funds. She was a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, and not by choice.

Like my mother, Jesica was held hostage in her own home, forced into the role of caretaker by a controlling and abusive partner. She wasn’t simply not working. She was isolated, manipulated, and raising children in a dangerous and traumatic environment. And now, the court is punishing her for that.

This story is personal to me because Judge Chad Wise is the same judge who denied my mother protective orders. Not long after, my mother was murdered by my father.

I watched her suffer for years through physical and emotional abuse. I was abused too. I stood in front of Judge Wise and told him everything. I told him how I watched my mother get beaten. I told him how I had to make meals for myself and my little sister because our father was too drunk, too violent, or too focused on hurting us to do it. I shared things no child should ever have to experience.

Judge Wise didn’t believe me. He didn’t care. He didn’t protect my mother. He didn’t protect us.

My mother’s death was preventable.

Now Jesica is walking the same terrifying road. She is working two jobs and still cannot afford food, prescriptions, or legal help. She is trying to survive, trying to stay safe, and trying to fight for her children, while the same system that failed my mother continues to fail her too.

Jesica needs:

-Food, medications, and basic survival support

-Legal representation or paralegal help to fight for her rights

-Guidance navigating a biased and broken system

-Advocacy and visibility to hold Judge Wise accountable

Even five dollars can make a difference. If you are unable to donate, please share her story.

We couldn’t save my mom. But maybe we can save Jesica.

Please do not look away. Let’s not let another mother be silenced.