Money for Valerie's Legal fees

I am starting this campaign to raise money for attorney fees for Valerie, a close friend of mine for the past 20 years. She is in a bitter divorce battle, up againt a well funded legal team that seems willing to do anything to have her infant daughter taken away from her. All dontions given will go to Valerie's legal fees in the fight to keep her infant daugher, Taylor, primarily with Valerie as Taylor has lived since birth.

Valerie is sincerely grateful for any and all donations. She will never forget.

To give you some background:

It started on September 2, 2016. At 8am, Valerie's husband finished his shift at the fire station, and headed to the bank. He withdrew all of the funds from the couples' joint bank account, then went home and packed his bags. He never returned. He also dissolved the family business, leaving Valerie with without a job and no money.

This is when the husband began denying that the unborn baby was even his, even though they had been trying for months. Valerie was 6 months along when this all happened. Taylor was born December 21, 2016.

Since the end of 2016 Valerie has been involved in an litigious and contested divorce and custody battle. Valerie's husband has spent tens of thousands of dollars on his lawyer, and filed 15 motions all related to the temporary time-sharing of Taylor before a trial (where the judge will make the final decision). The husband has made false allegtions against Valerie with the Department of children and families.

Valerie's husband has repeatedly accused her of using drugs and abusing their newborn daughter. He filed these false claims (plus other accusations) with DCF approximately 15 different times. For each of the claims filed, DCF completed an investigation. Valerie passed every drug test, and was exonerated on all accounts. Valerie does not do drugs.

When Taylor was 3 months old, she returned home (after a scheduled visit) with her hair cut down to the scalp, in random patches. Taylor had secretly been taken for a hair follicle drug test. The results proved inconclusive because the sample was too small. However, trace amounts of some substances were noted. Six (6) months later, Taylor returned home from being with the husband with her hair cut again. This time her test results were reported as positive.

Due to Taylor's positive drug test, Valerie's parental time sharing was been suspended, meaning the husband picked up the child and she was removed from Valerie's care.

Immediatly after Taylor's positive drug test, Valerie was ordered by the court to take a hair follice test herself. The results were NEGATIVE. Valerie doesn't do drugs, nor does she surround herself with people who do. Additionally, she took multiple drug test with DCF within the months between Taylor's first and second hair test- all negative. Taylor's test was not positive because of Valerie.

Valerie is concerned that her time sharing will be permanently suspended. Valerie has confessed to me her growing concern for the well-being of their daughter. She worries it is not the priority in this case. Valerie has absolutey no idea where her daughter is, or who is caring for her during her husband's 24 hour work shift. She has made several attempts to have these important questions answered, only to be ignored.

To make matters worse, the most recent time Valerie saw Taylor, she had a severe sinus infection, and a double ear infection. Both hadn't been treated until Valerie took her to the pediatrician.

Valerie is desparate to get her daughter back into her arms. Taylor has a very special bond with her mother, and was still being breastfed until she was taken from Valerie's care.

Not to forget how the rest of the family is suffering. Taylor's 13 year old brother misses his sister dearly, and cries with worry for his baby sister.

All of what is mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg in this situation. It is mentioned to show how serious the situation is. Valerie's attorney has withdrawn himself from the case because Valerie could not afford to pay the legal fees accrued from fighting the 15 motion's her husband filed. The bill that she accrued from fighting exceeded her original retainer.

As humiliating as it may be, Valerie is now asking for help from anyone and everyone who is able. It takes hours and hours to fight motions. And attorneys bill $250-$300/hour. (She does not qualify for legal aid.) Her soon to be ex-husband is trying to out bill her and she cannot lose this fight.

This will not be possible without financial help, and lots of it.
Any money donated will be paid toward attorney fees to fight for what is best for baby Taylor. So, I ask you on behalf of Valerie, if you have anything to give, please give. Help bring Taylor back to the home that is best for her, and reunite her with her mother and brother.