Support Elizabeth's Fight for Custody

Hi, my name is Elizabeth Fisher. I am 34 years old and an early education teacher. In 2017, I left my ex-husband because our relationship had become hostile, and I felt mentally and physically unsafe. I had left him several times before, but this time was different.

He had asked me to stop working months prior, and our children had just started their first years of school. Xzaviar and Ameera were three and six. Their father, though often physically absent, was always financially stable. Not wanting to put my children through too much trauma, in March 2017, I wrote a letter stating I wasn’t abandoning my children. I was only leaving him and I was coming back for the children. On July 1, when I went to pick up my children, we had just spoken the night before. I watched them pack!

As I waited outside his new apartment for him to bring them out. I was surrounded by police. They were told I was trespassing and causing a disturbance. Luckily, a maintenance man had been nearby the whole time I was waiting and verified I had been sitting in my car the whole time. Seeing that I did not live there, however, the landlord had already ordered my removal, and I was told I must leave. I begged for them to let me at least see them, so they knew I didn’t just not show up. I was told no and to leave.

That night, I woke up to police at my door. I was being arrested for cyberstalking. I beat the charge as it was a false claim and was released. Over the next four years, I spent countless times going in and out of court, beating false accusations, during which I lost my ability to teach in North Carolina. I’ve had two lawyers, both of whom I would never recommend to anyone.

In 2021, I filed an order of contempt as I hadn’t had access to my children for over a year. My lawyer failed to do his job. Before I could even speak to a judge, my case was dismissed.

At that moment, my spirit was crushed. I told my kids when they were old enough to speak for themselves, we would try again as I was mentally, financially, spiritually, and physically drained.

In March 2023, I was asked to move in with my ex-husband as his new wife was divorcing him and she was afraid to leave the children alone with him. I moved back for nine months, cooking, cleaning, buying groceries, taking them to school and the doctor. Everything seemed OK, but then their father informed me starting the next month, I’d be required to pay $1000 a month for rent. I was not inclined to do that, so I returned to Texas where I’m allowed to teach. My son has expressed his desire to move, and everyone, including his stepmom, believes a change in custody is pertinent.

I reached out to a lawyer once more and was informed I owe their father $4900 in child support and had a court order for July 15 contempt. I had no idea about the court date. The lawyer offered to cover both child support and custody for $5000. If you have made it this far, thank you. I have 30 days to make $10,000 to have a fighting chance at my children finally returning home. Children should never be used as pawns! Please help me return them home.