- M
- W
--Introduction--
Those of you who know me, know that I am passionate about protecting children. I have spent much of my career in counseling helping keep families together, including those involved with abuse and neglect. However, there are certain cases where the children are better off with one responsible parent. While I am no longer a professional in the field of child protection -- and I would like to make clear that I am making this plea as a friend -- I am still dedicated to protecting children.
As such, I am asking for donations to this fundraiser for a friend, someone I have known personally for several years and whom I care about. I have personally been involved in her children's lives. She wishes to remain anonymous, but she desperately needs help to regain full custody.
Specifically, my friend needs to raise enough money to cover the legal fees to file for full custody for her two children ages 10 and 12. An exact breakdown of the fees can be found below.
--Facts of the Case--
The father of the children has recently been arrested and is in jail awaiting trial for the following criminal charges:
-Three counts of invasion of privacy for sexual gratification, a Class 6 felony
-Sexual assault, a Class 3 felony
-Second-degree burglary, a Class 3 felony
-Two counts of attempted invasion of privacy for sexual gratification, a Class 2 misdemeanor
-Two counts of resisting arrest, a Class 2 misdemeanor
-Six counts of second-degree trespassing, a Class 3 misdemeanor
-Retaliation against a witness or a victim, a Class 3 felony
-Attempted burglary, a Class 4 felony
-Stalking, a Class 6 felony
-Criminal mischief, a Class 6 felony
In addition, he has had similar criminal charges in the recent past.
--My Personal Observations--
As far as his interactions with the children and their mom, for many years he generally has been delinquent, emotionally abusive, and irresponsible. My friend reports that the father has not had stable housing or income for months/years, and has been inconsistent with child support and had stopped paying completely prior to his arrest. I have personally heard the children report that they do not enjoy their visits with him. They have told me that visits with dad consist of entertainment activities including age-inappropriate movies, video games and music. I, personally, have had conversations with the kids where they tell me that when they go to dad's, they play video games while he is at work, sometimes for 10 hours straight. In addition, my friend says the children have complained that their father has hurt them physically and emotionally.
In contrast, the kids' mother is very loving, straight-laced, and one could even say hyper-responsible... I have seen her work multiple jobs in order to keep food on the table. I have seen her parenting her children in a way that nourishes their emotional well-being as well as their physical and mental development. Despite the challenging circumstances, the kids are thoughtful, intelligent, creative and very responsible for their ages.
CPS has been involved in the past, but my friend reports that because the father is educated and manipulative, he can put on an act of cooperation and talk his way out of things.
Because these criminal charges and sexual assault charges have come about just as his daughter approaches her teen years, a vulnerable time for her, it feels particularly urgent to me that my friend be able to address her concerns in a court of law, and in a timely manner.
--Expected Costs--
-Attorney's fees (discounted): $3,000
-CFI (court appointed child-family investigator*): $2750
-Therapy costs (six months) for the mom and kids, for the trauma inflicted by these events: $1000
Urgent Minimum Needed: $3000 to pay the full attorney's fees.
The attorney taking the case has experience with child custody and has won similar cases in the past. He has generously offered to reduce his regular rate given the criminal charges and my friend's difficult financial situation.
*The CFI's job is to interview the children, the children's teachers, therapists, close adult family friends, visit the home, etc. This person gives a recommendation to the judge and is the one who can help the judge understand what is in the best interest of the children. I anticipate this investigation will be very helpful to my friend's case.
--Conclusion--
Thank you so much, for caring about my friend and her children. Please consider donating to help me with this very personal cause.
Sincerely,
Dave Drebus
Those of you who know me, know that I am passionate about protecting children. I have spent much of my career in counseling helping keep families together, including those involved with abuse and neglect. However, there are certain cases where the children are better off with one responsible parent. While I am no longer a professional in the field of child protection -- and I would like to make clear that I am making this plea as a friend -- I am still dedicated to protecting children.
As such, I am asking for donations to this fundraiser for a friend, someone I have known personally for several years and whom I care about. I have personally been involved in her children's lives. She wishes to remain anonymous, but she desperately needs help to regain full custody.
Specifically, my friend needs to raise enough money to cover the legal fees to file for full custody for her two children ages 10 and 12. An exact breakdown of the fees can be found below.
--Facts of the Case--
The father of the children has recently been arrested and is in jail awaiting trial for the following criminal charges:
-Three counts of invasion of privacy for sexual gratification, a Class 6 felony
-Sexual assault, a Class 3 felony
-Second-degree burglary, a Class 3 felony
-Two counts of attempted invasion of privacy for sexual gratification, a Class 2 misdemeanor
-Two counts of resisting arrest, a Class 2 misdemeanor
-Six counts of second-degree trespassing, a Class 3 misdemeanor
-Retaliation against a witness or a victim, a Class 3 felony
-Attempted burglary, a Class 4 felony
-Stalking, a Class 6 felony
-Criminal mischief, a Class 6 felony
In addition, he has had similar criminal charges in the recent past.
--My Personal Observations--
As far as his interactions with the children and their mom, for many years he generally has been delinquent, emotionally abusive, and irresponsible. My friend reports that the father has not had stable housing or income for months/years, and has been inconsistent with child support and had stopped paying completely prior to his arrest. I have personally heard the children report that they do not enjoy their visits with him. They have told me that visits with dad consist of entertainment activities including age-inappropriate movies, video games and music. I, personally, have had conversations with the kids where they tell me that when they go to dad's, they play video games while he is at work, sometimes for 10 hours straight. In addition, my friend says the children have complained that their father has hurt them physically and emotionally.
In contrast, the kids' mother is very loving, straight-laced, and one could even say hyper-responsible... I have seen her work multiple jobs in order to keep food on the table. I have seen her parenting her children in a way that nourishes their emotional well-being as well as their physical and mental development. Despite the challenging circumstances, the kids are thoughtful, intelligent, creative and very responsible for their ages.
CPS has been involved in the past, but my friend reports that because the father is educated and manipulative, he can put on an act of cooperation and talk his way out of things.
Because these criminal charges and sexual assault charges have come about just as his daughter approaches her teen years, a vulnerable time for her, it feels particularly urgent to me that my friend be able to address her concerns in a court of law, and in a timely manner.
--Expected Costs--
-Attorney's fees (discounted): $3,000
-CFI (court appointed child-family investigator*): $2750
-Therapy costs (six months) for the mom and kids, for the trauma inflicted by these events: $1000
Urgent Minimum Needed: $3000 to pay the full attorney's fees.
The attorney taking the case has experience with child custody and has won similar cases in the past. He has generously offered to reduce his regular rate given the criminal charges and my friend's difficult financial situation.
*The CFI's job is to interview the children, the children's teachers, therapists, close adult family friends, visit the home, etc. This person gives a recommendation to the judge and is the one who can help the judge understand what is in the best interest of the children. I anticipate this investigation will be very helpful to my friend's case.
--Conclusion--
Thank you so much, for caring about my friend and her children. Please consider donating to help me with this very personal cause.
Sincerely,
Dave Drebus