Bring Brody Back - Justice for Juveniles in Abusive Homes

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Iowa Court Case: 07231 DRCV041226 (CLINTON, IA)

Iowa Courts Online

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UPDATE 7/29/25: Brody Backed Into A Corner. After losing faith in Iowa's juvenile justice system and the Blue's inability to serve and protect, Brody made the decision to return to his father's home, while he impatiently awaits the custody modification hearing in September. Threats of juvenile detention and termination of mom's parental rights, as well as dad's motions, false allegations, and perjury may have been just enough to Bully Brody Back.

An idea of making Brody's "return home" less traumatic emerged, and Brody agreed he would go back if he, his mom, his mom's boyfriend, his dad, and his two little sisters could do something fun when they met up. Everyone seemed to be in agreeance... but that was just silly to think his dad would do that for him. They were hopeful though!

Much to their surprise, upon arrival dad was accompanied by a police officer, Brody's little sisters, and Brody's grandpa.

Brody's grandpa. The same grandpa that sat with Brody at Brodys mom's house not long ago, as Brody pleaded for his grandpa's help. Brody used to have a good relationship with his grandpa. Brody told his grandpa that if he continued to financially support his dad to fight his mom in court, he would never speak to him again. Quite the surprise to see grandpa out from hiding to greet his grandson at the meet-up. Brody was forced to ride with his grandpa back out to dad's house. Mom gave Brody the chance to speak up if he was uncomfortable with it. Brody decided to ride with his grandpa. After being in a fast-moving vehicle with his dad when Brody did not score a touchdown in football, grandpa was probably the safer choice.

My curiosity grows deeper.

If the mother of grandpa's children could talk, I wonder what she'd say? Unfortunately she is no longer with us. Second wife? She has some stories. Current wife? Ma'am, you already know.

This is Brody's Battle and I'm here for it.

Thank you so much for the donations, the thoughts and prayers, and the community that is building for Brody.

Bring Brody Back.

UPDATE: Judge forces Brody, 14 y/o, back to abusive home.

Case: 07231 DRCV041226 (CLINTON, IA)

Iowa Courts Online

On Tuesday, July 15th, Brody's mom appeared in court regarding a bench warrant for being "uncooperative" after a writ of habeas corpus was filed by the petitioner. The writ started as Brody being held hostage and against his will, preventing Brody from speaking. Brody wrote a statement to the judge that was dismissed. Tuesday, Brody appeared in front of the judge, in his chambers, his counselor present, an out-of-town police officer with bodycam footage for evidence waiting in the wings. The judge did not allow the supoened witnesses to provide testimony. Brody took the opportunity to plead for his life, a day before his 14th birthday. The judge told Brody he could not change the custody agreement at this time, moments after threatening Amber with terminating her parental rights. Brody told the judge if he was forced back, he would run away.

And he did.

Brody ran from that courthouse that day, as if his life depended on it. It did.

Brody returned home after a couple of days, adamant he will do it again. Brody is enrolled at Clinton High, eager to finish his remaining high school years in the same school, going to dances and playing in sports. He wants a normal life.

Law enforcement, DHS, social workers, all in Brody's ear convincing him to go back, reminding him of how his actions affect those around him.

WHAT ABOUT BRODY. WHO WILL PROTECT BRODY????

This is the most disgusting display of the juvenile justice system. Money = power

Threats of juvenile delinquency, juvie, and coming down hard on the consequences to his mother are terrifying and It's not about her. She has done nothing wrong and has been cooperative the entire time. Brody voiced he would rather go to juvenile detention than return with his father.

Amber's lawyer dropped her as a client, after the petioners attorney excused herself from the case. The previous attorney threatened Amber and Amber's lawyer filed a complaint. Now said attorney's father is the replacement. A guardian ad litem has been shot down by the petitioner. Can't you see what's happening??? A new DHS complaint came in yesterday, obviously to be expected. The only protection Brody had was law enforcement not physically restraining him. They now have permission to do so.

This case is scandalous. PLEASE HELP THIS BOY!!!

My name is Jessica Pease, and I am a cousin to Amber Smith (mom) and Brody Smith (M, 14 y/o). For those unfamiliar with the family backstory, I would like to be as transparent as I can so you are aware of what your donations are funding.

As a single mother at 24, Amber fought to keep her newborn safe. After realizing the severity of the familial situation, she put parameters in place when she was pregnant with Brody and for the first couple years of his life. Brody's other parent took Amber to court in 2015 for full custody. There were no allegations of abuse, neglect, or substance abuse against Amber, the most common culprits. We never thought the ruling would be as devastating as it was. The offending parent was married and enrolled in the service at the time of the custody case. Amber was a young, single mother.

At the tender age of 4, Brody was removed from his only home and forced to relocate to the state his other parent was residing in, Virginia. A 16+ hour drive for a little person, riding in a vehicle with people he did not know well (parent and step-parent), and going to a place he was unfamiliar with was not only traumatic for Brody, it was traumatic for Amber. I was with Amber and Brody the day Brody had to leave, a sight that has haunted me since.

After the ruling, Amber appealed the case to the Supreme Court, only to have the findings upheld with a couple of minor changes in Amber's favor. To this day, it is still unclear as to why Brody was removed from his home. The other parent was discharged from the service a short time after he gained custody of Brody. Throughout Brody's time with his other parent, his life has been littered with abuse, violence, a number of "mother figures," inconsistency, instability, fear, and retaliation. Brody has been enrolled 13 times in 9 different schools, and he has lived at (at least) 11 different addresses between Virginia and Iowa. These changes are not reflective of the military lifestyle. DHS has been involved multiple times, but to no avail. Brody's abuser has one documented case of child abuse towards Brody, but Brody continues to be left in the hands of his abuser each and every time, consequences always waiting for him.

With miles apart, Amber's involvement with Brody has been consistent. I remember when she would video chat with Brody in the early years. Amber would read him bedtime stories via video chat and engage with him in such a way that, in my opinion, demonstrated parenting skills/protective factors that set the foundation for Brody's resilience building.

Brody recently started using his voice in response to the abuse that has occurred over the past 9-10 years; the same voice that said, "I can't go back there." However, during recent court proceedings, Brody's voice has been shut down by his abuser, not allowing him to speak his truth. Brody has told his abuser numerous times he will not be returning due to the abuse he has endured in his care "his whole life." Brody will be 14 in July and his rights are being taken from him.

We have now entered the ultimate power and control phase. As a domestic violence counselor myself, I will say the offending parent's behaviors are textbook. Once the abuser loses control in the most common ways, the legal system is what they attack next. In the past 9-10 years, Amber has spent double-digit thousands on attorneys and the court system to advocate and fight for her son. She has been met with some wild, bizarre, and insane obstacles, and will continue to fight to keep Brody home, where he should have always been.

It takes a village. It is hard to say how much money will go into this if Brody's abuser continues to fight. The proceeds will go towards Amber's attorney fees, as well as Brody's attorney fees. Like many victims, Brody left with the shirt on his back, and left behind some of his own special possessions that kept him safe while he was in his abuser's care. Amber has always been able to provide for her children, and Brody is not lacking in his basic needs. Brody is enrolled in the Clinton School System and expresses his desire to have a normal life. Brody will be in high school this year, and he stated that he would like to stay at the same school for the rest of his high school years. Brody wants to play sports and go to dances. Quite frankly, Brody wants to be a kid and enjoy the rest of his childhood.

Brody is a human being first. He is also a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, a friend, and a grandson. If you are unable to donate monetarily, please lift Brody in your prayers, releasing him from the generational cycle of abuse he has endured, and Bring Brody Back.

We are fundraising to cover the legal fees for Amber and Brody's attorneys. We are raising funds specifically for Amber Smith and her son, Brody Smith, to help them fight this legal battle and ensure Brody's safety and stability.