My name is Jesse, and I’m raising funds to support my fiancé, Jamelle Johnson, and her twin daughters, who are 14 years old. Jamelle and I have been together for five years, and I’ve been a consistent father figure in the girls’ lives since they were nine. In January 2025, I moved to Ironton, Ohio, to get on my feet and create a stable foundation for our family. By June, Jamelle and the girls joined me, and we were finally able to establish a safe, loving home where we could begin building our life together.Following a weekend visit with their father, concerns were raised that resulted in children services becoming involved while the girls were at their father’s home in Fairfield County. Emergency custody actions followed based on allegations that we strongly dispute. Since that time, despite fully complying with every court order—including drug screenings, hair follicle testing, guardian ad litem fees, providing all requested information, and consistently showing up—we have been separated from the girls for over six months.Throughout this process, we believed that being transparent, cooperative, and willing to do everything asked of us would be enough. We paid out of pocket for testing, complied without resistance, remained open to evaluations, and followed every directive given to us in good faith. With trial now approaching in just two months, it has become clear that continuing without legal representation puts us at a serious disadvantage.Navigating the legal system has been overwhelming. Jamelle has faced deeply difficult and emotional court interactions and has struggled to fully explain her circumstances without the support of an attorney. While others involved have access to legal counsel, we are just starting out and do not currently have the financial means to secure representation on our own.We are seeking help to obtain legal representation so Jamelle can be properly advocated for and supported as we work toward reunification as a family. We have worked hard to create and maintain a safe, stable home, but the cost of legal representation is currently out of reach. Attempting to cover these expenses alone would put our housing and basic stability at risk.This fundraiser is being created with Jamelle’s full knowledge and consent. Any support given will go toward legal representation and essential family needs during this challenging time. We are deeply grateful for any kindness, encouragement, or help shown to our family as we continue to move forward together.