Sora - my daughter

Livia - her mother

I’m asking for donations so that I might get a lawyer for an upcoming custody battle against my daughter’s mother. I am trying to handle it lawyer or not, but a lawyer would be unbelievably helpful. I’ve already explored all free legal counseling options, to no avail. It’s all a bit over my head.

My mother and father raised my daughter for much of her life. The mother of my child and I struggled with substance abuse for many years, especially during Sora's early years, up until she was about 7. She is now 13. Just in February, we had our custodial rights restored, and my parents stepped back into grandparent roles. My parents were adamant in their stance to give custody to me and not her mother, but I pressed forward in the assertion that her mother deserved to have equal rights as me and that Sora needs both of her parents.

Three months later, Sora formulated a plan with her friend, lied to me, and ran away from home after I left for work one morning. Very serious, very dangerous. The state police were involved, and there was a 5-hour search for two missing girls: my daughter and her friend. I NEVER saw this coming. My daughter has never acted in such an extreme manner, and I didn’t know how to handle it. I was the one who found them. I took Sora home and paddled her as an initial and immediate disciplinary action for her misconduct. Then we sat and talked with her grandparents and eventually her mother. I thought leaving her with her mother would be good, as she could be more nurturing, seeing as I was more disciplinary in the moment. LET ME STATE, the paddling was only the first step in a long unfolding system of conversations and corrections as I explore the reasons for such behavior with Sora. There is so much more to correction than spanking your child, and I only did it because of the intensity of the crime and the reality of the danger she put herself in.

Well, I dropped her off Monday and went back to pick my daughter up Wednesday as we had planned and discussed. When I arrived to pick my daughter up, I was informed that Livia had contacted Children and Youth Services, filed for emergency custody, and that I was not taking Sora with me today. Police were called, and I was told to leave. Devastated, I called CYS immediately. They were glad I called; they did not have any of the information I gave them about Sora running away.

Livia, immediately following that interaction, went to the courthouse and filed for an emergency Protection From Abuse, which they granted her. She lied on every single form she filled out.

She lied and said Sora “skipped school” when Sora is not even in school (digital). She wrote in every report (CYS, PFA, Custody) that I struck Sora with a 2x4 board, which is entirely untrue.

So I have been thrust into a legal battle.

I have trusted in the Lord to acquit me as thus far he has.

I had a hearing for the PFA on 5/27, and I beat the PFA. I self represented and it was terrifying but we got through. I explained to the judge the lies and misinformation in the report. I explained my disciplinary actions for my daughter’s misconduct. I am protected by and under the law.

Both Livia and Sora told lies before the judge. The judge even laid into Livia about telling our daughter things she has no business knowing from 14 years ago regarding me and Livia’s past together, promoting fear and disunity.

CYS also closed their abuse investigation, calling it “unfounded.”

Now I have a court date on June 10th for the emergency custody hearing.

I have been trying to communicate with Livia to work things out, but it seems she is still going to pursue custody despite the first two things being overthrown.

I truly believe what is best for my daughter is for her to have two parents that can communicate and work things out together. But if that isn’t possible, I believe she is better with me than her mother.

Her mother has manipulated the courts to steal my daughter from me for the past month. Her mother has promoted lying to the courts and, in the past, lying to me. Sora's mother promotes disrespecting, ignoring, and disregarding her father. Rather than promoting communication and reconciliation she wants the upper hand legally.

She is completely counter to the morals and values that I want to instill in my daughter. Sora needs many things as a teenage girl.. structure, responsibility, discipline, boundaries, and expectations upon her. Sora needs to know that there are consequences for her actions. And that there is Grace for her mistakes. Not only has her mother completely shielded her from the consequences of her actions, she has made an enemy out of her father and made real serious attempts before the courts to rid Sora of me.

Sora has a dog I bought her. She has a summer job she’s supposed to work. I am blown away that it has gone this way, but I am unwilling to stand idle while my daughter’s future is in the hands of a liar and manipulator. If I am able to get a lawyer, fantastic, but if I’m not, I’m still fighting. The truth is on my side; I just want the best shot I can have at communicating what I have tried to here.

My daughter deserves family that doesn’t lie, that loves, forgives, and communicates. I will never withhold her from the ones she loves. I truly believe this has displayed her mother’s instability, and I’m praying for help as I try to move forward for Sora's best interest.

Thank you for your consideration in donating. I love my girl with all my heart. It is my heart's desire to be the best father that I can be to Sora. It is my duty to raise her with strong morals, with gentle love, and to teach her what is right. Legal counsel would be incredibly helpful at this time.

tl;dr- In custody battle, need lawyer. Firmly believe it is for my child benefit and future wellbeing.