Helping Gabs and I

Im so embarrassed that I even have to ask for help, but I’m sending this in messenger because I don’t want the whole world to know. In January 2017 my daughter’s father walked away; he couldn’t handle being a Dad. I never will understand why he did what he did then, but apparently another girlfriend was more important than his own child. Gabriella and I decided to move to NC to be with my family, so we did that in October 2017. He would still randomly have telephone access with his daughter, and as a matter of fact, I was going to send her up to see if if he gave me the funds for the ticket , but he wanted me to pay for them first, even though he owes me close to 10K in past due items including health Insurance, child support, child care, and much more. Last year he took me back to court and tried to get custody of Gabs; he was denied and was given “Access” which I never said he couldn’t have. Gabriella started her access last Thanksgiving and again for New Year’s; she was supposed to go back to New York July 1st-July 21st, but because of Covid-19 I didn’t put her on a plane; I was looking out for the safety of a 7 year old. We had even agreed prior to July 1st that if Covid clears up by the time she returns to school we would send her then. The day before he said he didn’t care, his Mom will be at the airport, and I advised him again she wasn’t going anywhere. And she didn’t; I kept her home. How fair would it be for a 7 year old to go to N.Y. for 2 weeks’ quarantine, 1 week of freedom and then 2 weeks’ quarantine when she returns? Or the risk factors involved, at that time Florida was the “worst state with Covid 19 cases” and NY was still at its worst. He now is taking me back to court and is asking for imprisonment, retainer fees for his attorney, immediate removal of custody from me (the only stable person in her life since she was born) and much more. In 4 years he has spent a total of 21 days with her! Yesterday we had the first part of the hearing and I was advised that I am facing all items mentioned above if I do not obtain counsel. I spoke with the best attorney in NY and he is giving me a huge break but the cost is still too much as I am a single mother trying my hardest during a pandemic to survive. While my ex just managed to purchase a $25k camper... but cannot pay for his child, and apparently he is supporting his new girlfriend and her daughter, as evidenced by it’s plain as day on his expense affidavit. I’m looking for any help at this point. My daughter does not know her father and the disconnect which he caused may never be fixed, but he did it. But my relationship with Gabs is like no others: we are a team #teamMomandGabs, we know each other in and out, our love is so unconditional and I don’t want to lose that. The only thing I fear most now is losing her custody. being taken away. I’ve also learned over this journey that apparently some judges are not taking Covid 19 as seriously as I have been advised. what it’s made out to be. This has proved it in my eyes The courts are not even open and we are doing everything on Skype, but yet as a mother I’m supposed to risk my daughter’s life sending her and out her on a plane for his pure satisfaction.... I’m not giving up!!! I am looking for anyone help at this point to help me. If anyone wants to see proof of my some of my battles with him, I would be more the willing to share. But I don’t want to put them up post them here.