Help Rhiannon Keep Custody

Hi folks. My name is Rhiannon and almost nine years ago I was blessed to have a baby girl. Three months later, her birth father shook her while I was at work, and he pleaded guilty to child abuse. She was in the hospital for weeks after with a subdermal hematoma, lacerated liver and multiple broken ribs. We are so lucky that the only remaining effects that has had on her is the presence of four small bald spots on her head from when they had to do surgery.

I am making this GoFundMe because the end of her birth father’s sentence is up. His trial took so long that he was sentenced to mostly time served and a restraining order until his probation is lifted, which was supposed to be when she is 10. Instead, it has ended early and he has informed me that he will be filing for custody/visitation. This GoFundMe would go towards any and all lawyer fees so he at least is directed to have supervised visits, and not made to go off with a man she has not been allowed to know.

I have tried to save up for the eventual lawyer fees I knew would come, but he has not paid any child support. I switched whole careers to be able to raise my infant without putting her in daycare. I moved to the next state over to obtain a higher paying job and things just keep happening financially. I’m currently on medical leave from work due to tearing my ACL eight months ago—my job is completely physical so I can’t go back for 2-3 months. I try not to ask for help, but I just want to make sure Alessa is safe and with the family that has been raising her for the past eight years.