This letter is written with no identifying information to protect the mother and her daughter from harm.

In the summer of 2023, my childhood friend's six-year-old daughter disclosed her father and his girlfriend sexually and physically abused her. She bravely shared her story with her mother, grandmother, pediatrician, multiple licensed mental health counselors and licensed clinical social workers, ER staff, and additional medical providers and mandated reporters. All of them have reported the abuse to Child Protective Services and/or law enforcement, and yet, the abusers walk freely with access to children. It's been over a year since her initial disclosure and two forensic interviews. She continues to tell her story and adamantly refuses to communicate with her abuser. We are asking for your support to advocate with her and help keep her safe.

Child Protective Services continues to unfound every case despite the graphic, detailed disclosures by the child. The State Attorney chose not to prosecute because of insufficient physical evidence and refused to issue a search warrant even after the child disclosed that her abusers forced her to watch child pornography.

Finally, after numerous court appearances and months of mental anguish, a commissioner suspended the father's visitation. Now, the father is requesting full custody of the child and has accused the mother of coaching and parental alienation. This is a calculated strategy to flip the focus onto the mother, rather than focus on the sexual and physical abuse, and what is in the child's best interest.

In trying to protect her daughter, to date my friend has accrued almost $75,000 in attorney fees. There is an upcoming trial that will be an additional $15,000-$25,000. And, this is only the cost of the legal fees. Additionally, the mother pays for the child's medical expenses and weekly counseling sessions to support the child's healing from the abuse and trauma.

The mother has paid $12,000. She borrowed $43,000 from a close family friend. The attorney is asking for an additional trial retainer of $15,000 due on 1/22/2025 and her running balance of $2,335.15 is due on 1/19/2025.

My friend is a single working mom, supporting her daughter and her 71 y/o mother. The father has more financial resources and has buried the mother in motion after motion of contempt proceedings. She desperately needs more resources to continue with legal representation and to navigate the custody proceedings. If she does not pay the trial retainer and balance by the upcoming dates, she will lose legal representation.

So much is at risk. I fear for the safety of my friend, her daughter, and her mother. The abuser is violent and has a history of domestic violence, criminal activity, and substance use. I fear the sexual and physical abuse will continue and intensify if the child is ordered to spend any time with her father. I fear the mother will lose custody of her child. I fear for the child’s mental health and future well-being.

Without legal representation, it is highly likely the father will secure custody. I'm asking for any support you can provide to help protect this beautiful, innocent child. Any money you're able to donate is helpful; no amount is too small. Please share this with family and friends and friends of friends. It is our only hope to keep her free from violence and to provide her with the future she (and every child) so deserves.

The mother is a strong advocate for her daughter and once this is settled, she intends on dedicating her life to advocating for change in the family court system, so that no protective parent has to endure this pain with their child(ren) and children will no longer be silenced.

Information on how to advocate for legislative change:

One Mom's Battle https://onemomsbattle.com/

Project Justice USA https://projectjusticeusa.com/

Kayden's Law https://www.nationalsafeparents.org/