John Barker’s Right to Fatherhood

Last month, a judge determined that our loving brother/son/friend, John Barker, would not be granted custody of his step-daughter, consequently breaking the hearts and familial ties of all involved. Now, John and his lawyer are appealing this ruling on the basis that the judge did not interpret the law correctly and that the child’s best interest and well-being should supersede the mother's “rights”. Help us help John and his step-daughter, help us put this family back together, and help us give his step-daughter the loving home she deserves. 

Please help John raise an additional $15,000.00 to overturn the judge’s original decision.  He has been told an appeal has to be filed in Denver by July 23rd, 2020.

A testimonial from Patti Barker, John's mother. Children's names have been removed for safety.

"John Barker began a journey as the only father his step daughter has ever known, 7 years ago.  The breakup of his marriage was difficult for his step-daughter, and his biological daughter, who is also the half-sister.

John willingly and wholly accepted the role as his step-daughter's father for most of her life, providing both financial and emotional support to both of his girls.  Fishing, kayaking and camping have been a main staple in John’s role as father to both of these children. He has been there for every illness, bedtime routine, holiday, injury and happy occasion, in the exact same way any good father would be for his biological child.

He loves both girls equally, and in his eyes, he is his step-daughter's father. 

John has given his love completely and wholly to this beautiful child. He established a true bond with her as a father and now all of that has been shattered. When John’s former wife remarried, she decided to not allow the relationship to continue.  Last August John began the nine month battle in court, to fight for his rights as the only father his step-daughter has known, and for her right to continue her relationship with the man she calls daddy. Many court dates ensued, most of which proved John had established an emotional tie with her as a father figure. 

A Child and Family investigator was hired by John to investigate both homes. She testified that it was in the child's best interest to be with John, and that she saw signs that the child was disconnecting because of this situation. She had serious concerns about what was going on in the mother’s home.  Teachers, and  the principal from the girl’s school, testified on John’s behalf.  He had breakfast with both of his girls almost every morning.  He spoke with their teachers all the time.  He was one of the top 15 parents most involved with his children’s education.  He did all of this, while trying to run his own business and provide for his children.

Even after proving all of this, the final decision from the judge came down to the law. The judge cited in his final ruling that even though it would be in the child's best interest to be with the only man she has ever known as father, the mother’s constitutional right to not have John involved anymore, because she had remarried, overruled John’s rights.  Because children basically have no rights themselves, it did not matter that the child wanted to come back to the man she calls daddy. The judge’s decision has resulted in the emotional devastation of John’s family. Taking her away from John and the family she has always known has taken away the stability and consistency that John, and her grandparents and extended family, offer for her. It was vital for her happiness, development, and psychological well-being, to not allow that to happen.  But it did and now John fears for both of his daughter’s welfare, both emotionally and spiritually. The sisters are separated every other week now.  The girls are extremely close and this separation has been so difficult for both of them.

 
Attorney’s and investigation fees of $25,000.00 were paid by John to fight this long battle. He has been told an appeal has to be filed in Denver by July 23rd, 2020.

Please help John raise an additional $15,000.00 to overturn the judge’s original decision.  He needs and deserves to have his child back.  She deserves to have the only father she has ever known, back in her life.  These sisters need to be together when they are with John every other week.  Please help him put his family back together.   Thank you."

- Patti Barker, John's mother