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I finally got a picture, but I can't really see his previous face well.
I am a single mother who has been separated from her youngest child for over six years. My son at the age of 6 was ripped away from me and his other 4 siblings. This grief from this separation is worse to me than the pain I endured with abuse and domestic violence. My heart is broken and I need help for legal fees, travel expenses and overnight lodging. A donation of $100 would cover the cost of fuel for one trip or one overnight lodging. The retainer for the lawyer is $2000. $20 would cover my food on the road. There is no free legal help for contested family law in Rockingham County, VA. I have learned so much this last year attending Fresh Hope for Mental Illness, and Hope for Hurting Parents. It has given me the courage to keep seeking contact and reconciliation in the courts.
He was taken on a trip by my eldest daughter on April 24th of 2018 for her birthday. I gave her permission to have him for 10 days. She asked for him to stay longer and I said no. My mental health worsened when he was not returned. Due to my mental health challenge, I made provisions for him to be cared for with help of a family friend near me in NY. My daughter was still unwilling to return him.
Even though that was not her decision to make, he was kept across state lines in the home of people I had never met and with no address or phone number. I was coerced to sign a temporary agreement to have him be in VA, while in a frail mental state with no legal counsel.
My requests to my daughter and others involved for him to be returned were continually denied. My other children were also devastated by this. This led to great despair and confusion.
They let me speak to him on the phone on some Sundays and I had 3 in person visits being driven there by a friend half way for the first visit. He jumped into my lap and I read him a book. I held him and sang Amazing Grace, and his favorite song Praise Him Praise Him. He was so happy to see me and asked when he could come home. Home had changed and I was being told he could not return yet by my POA, which I now understand was an agreement really only for finances.
Due to my medical condition, I was unable to to drive the 9 hours by myself for 5 months. The couple in VA who already had a family of their own filed for custody in response to the family in NY filing for custody to help us to have visitation. After that my daughter and the couple would no longer let me speak to him every week and told me it was too far for them to drive half way so I could visit him and because the husband could not take off work and the wife could not drive alone.
To get my son returned, I was told I needed to revoke the agreement in writing to my POA and the couple in VA. I did this and then she said he needed to stay there for 2 more months to transition home. I did not agree so I went to retrieve him based on legal counsel from NY. I did not know I was supposed to file a report for custodial interference. I was stopped by the police and the temporary agreement was used against me even though there was no court orders. My Power of Attorney misused her authority, and I had been coerced. She made herself the decision maker for more than my finances. And I felt powerless!
I will never forget the look on his face and his words to me when they told him to say good bye to me. Part of what he said was "remember we smile and you tell me my teeth as so perfect". We used to smile up close to each other and compare teeth! Lol
He held me close and gulped. I told him to be a good boy and that I was going to try and see him again soon. I had to leave my son and drive all the way back to NY not knowing what to do.
CPS and DFS got involved we were not even allowed to have a picture of him.
Living with a disability has had me be dependent on others and to trust those who say they were helping. However, people with mental health challenges often get taken advantage of and their rights disregarded. I did not know how to advocate for myself.
I do not have a drug or alcohol or substance abuse problem. I do not vape, smoke or use any recreational drugs or substances. Nor have I ever exposed any of my children to such who do. All funds received will be used wisely.
I have always sought help for my children in difficulties and when able have led by example helping others.
My goal is not to disrupt his current life but for us to be able to integrate our lives in a healthy way. I believe that is in the best interest of my son. He should be able to know me for the courageous woman I am. The couple did not even know me. I never met them prior to this situation.
I worked hard in life. I know what it is like to be in need and value the simple things.
I seek growth through counseling so that my son can look up to me and that I am a positive influence of hope, courage and resiliency.
I desperately need your support for this case.
I still have challenges and obstacles but I have made great strides. I am managing well.
From one mother to another and one person to another who has a mental health challenge, please fund me and share this with others.
Thank you for your time and consideration! We will never forget your compassion. There are a lot of people praying for my son, believing it is in his best interest to be reunited and most of all that God would be glorified in this!
My story His Glory!
May God bless you!
Organizer
