Return my son, Kaleb, to Tasmania

In October 2016, when my premature, newborn son was approaching 3 months old, his father disappeared with him interstate. In the 8 years since, I have engaged the assistance of Child Services, Legal-aid, several local law firms, women’s Legal Services, the education department, local and interstate police (even going so far as to try to raise a *failed* amber alert and several therapists/counsellors.) I have been met with red tape and deference. As a single mother on a low income, most law firms have not afforded me the time of day to help seek a recovery order or subpoena for information.

There were never any court orders in place and Dad and I had equal parenting rights when he left Tasmania, which has ever complicated this whole mess.

Every time the police have located them to do a welfare check; they’ve up and moved to the next place:

When I say I have fought for my son, Kaleb, believe me, I have… 7 years of birthday gifts finally donated to a charity on July 16th this year after years of therapy and hoarding those gifts away for me - acceptance finally came. And finally… his father has returned to Tasmania… off the back of a methamphetamine addiction, mentally unwell, a shell of the person I once knew… and without our little boy. Our 8 year old boy. Confessing that he had left our son behind in the care of extended family TWO YEARS AGO somewhere in QLD. These people are also not the greatest of people and I now *always had* have genuine concerns for my son. Enough to want to engage in the legal fight once more, despite how emotionally and financially draining the whole process is… But I need to call on my community to help me do that. I don’t want to. I’m out of options otherwise but, it’s time to fight harder than ever. The thought of sharing all of this with people I don’t even know is beyond hard…I’m sure there will be judgements and people who say there are missing pieces to the story and to that, I say - of course there are! 8 years of hell for my family and I and I cannot possibly begin to unpack it all right here and now… for those that know me, you all know I’ve come a long way in life, some of you might not know but I am a parent to 3 other children, 2 who are autistic and have extra needs. I’ve reopened my small business to try and bolster my income but I need to raise $9,000 to help begin the fight for Kaleb… there’s only so much I can do as one person.

$750 for the initial lawyer consult.

$3,000 lawyer holding deposit.

$3,250 for further outlay of legal fees pertaining to subpoenas and court orders.

$1,000 to help re-establish a life for Kaleb (bedding, toys, clothing, school supplies, counselling & supports)

$1,000 for other/unexpected expenses relating to Kaleb’s care and return to Tasmania - counselling for the other children and family involved, social support resources etc.

If you have the means to donate to our cause, we’d very much appreciate it - you’ll be changing lives forever, and every dollar counts. If you can’t donate, please share our Go-fundme link with your family and friends! If you’ve stuck with me this far, thank you for reading and taking the time to follow our journey… stay sane out there, it’s a cruel world but there’s hope. Always.