Backstory: My ex-husband has had custody of our 3 children for the last 7-8 months. He and I do not get along. I moved to Texas. He stayed in North Dakota. If I tried to get updates on the children or video chat with my youngest (Emmy), he wouldn’t let me. He would only tell me the kids are fine. Emmy’s was 17 month old when this happened. She was born deaf, with a heart condition and a genetic disorder. (Neither are severe)

On May 14th, I received an email from my ex-husband saying my 17-month-old daughter was in the ER with a skull fracture. I immediately started calling and texting him to find out what happened. He never answered. I had to wait until the next day when a social worker called to let me know she wasn’t doing well and that her injuries were the cause of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma. She had brain swelling, bleeding, a skull fracture, and retinal hemorrhages. She was also having seizures as a result of the brain damage. They told me we would be lucky if she survived the night….

Well, we got lucky. She made it through. She continues to have seizures so we were transferred from Bismarck to Fargo. We’ve been in Fargo for a couple weeks now. She still has a lot of healing to do. Right now she doesn’t have movement in her arms or legs, she doesn’t talk, is on a feeding tube, and may possibly be blind.

Now there’s an open investigation into my ex-husband and I’m going to try to fight for custody. I can’t get custody back unless I have my own apartment/house, so I’m coming here to ask for help. I just need enough to get started. I only need enough for a deposit and first months rent. I should be working a stable job by then to afford it on my own. I just need the help getting going. Thank you!