My best friend, Kathryn, is a truly incredible mother, who loves her 6-year-old son more than anything.  If you know Kathryn, you know this for a fact.  She has always been an exemplary mother, cherishing every single day with her son - from educational trips and museums, to sports and daily hikes.  As a teacher, she has always done everything possible to enrich her son’s life while providing a safe, happy, and loving environment as a mother. 

Unfortunately, through her signature big smile, most would never know that she left an abusive relationship with her child’s father years ago and is now again inflicted by post-separation abuse.  After being forced to spend a huge amount of money on a granted restraining order for protection and on defending against false allegations etc, Kathryn was financially forced to represent herself in a current custody trial that resumes this month.  Kathryn is very hardworking and private. She has never posted about this traumatic situation but will do anything to continue the current fight for her son.  She also agreed to go public as the start of pursuing her new passion in advocacy work toward domestic abuse and post-separation abuse for those in similar positions. She has already joined two legislative committees including with the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV), where she has received recognition rewards from CT State Senator Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Murphy, and vows to continue working hard toward change and against systematic corruption long after her battle is hopefully fairly resolved.

Her position: 

The custody battle was initiated by her ex, who blind-sided Kathryn around Valentine’s Day last year when she refused to get back with him/go on a date. That weekend he physically took the child from her vehicle, refused to return him, and started filing false accusations with court and with police.  This turned into a sequence of very manipulative legal steps, withholding her son from her for more than 60 days, and eventually forcing Kathryn into an unfair temporary agreement until the currently pending custody trial.  Kathryn’s son had previously always lived with her happily all his life until court.  

This has all simultaneously occurred while Kathryn was caring for her loving mother, who passed away recently this year.  Kathryn is strong, but no one should have to face all of this alone. 

This has been a lengthy, biased, and frustrating process for Kathryn, but the effects on her son who was diagnosed with PTSD and on her supportive family are the biggest driving factors in agreeing to this Gofundme.  Due to the complexity of her case, Kathryn has been quoted by multiple attorneys to need yet another $15-20k at least for representation in her currently ongoing trial.  She has already spent all of her resources, including a reserve meant to be a housing deposit, on this process.

Please consider donating to help Kathryn afford the legal assistance she needs to continue fighting and defending.  Kathryn’s son was illegally withheld from her again this past weekend, starting the same trend as last year and prompting the urgency of this fundraiser.  Please consider donating any assistance possible.  

Also, if you know Kathryn, please feel free to share any encouraging words and positive thoughts about her as a mother below.