$3,075 raised
·60 donations
Deceased Mom's Custody Wishes
Donation protected
**Updated August 6, 2017
May 1, 2017
Hello:
My name is Koca (legally Dominique) Pearson. My Aunt Crystal Pearson was placed on hospice care on July 7th and passed away on July 22, 2017, at 2:54am from a three-year battle with breast cancer. She was the biological mother of five children (2 boys and 3 girls). My aunt left this earth without the custody disputes being resolved regarding her 4 minor children, ages 12, 13, 14, and 17. Her final wish was for her children to stay together and be raised by my Aunt Linda (Meka) Pearson and me. As of August 2nd, the father of two of her girls was awarded temporary custody. Their father was absent from their lives for 8 ½ years. My cousins have been taken away from their siblings and the only family they’ve ever know…They have clearly expressed to their father and to us on many occasions that they would rather stay with their mother’s family. He has failed to consider their feelings and what’s in their best interest during this difficult time. At the ages of 13 and 14 they have a voice and should be heard. We know we have an uphill battle to fight in the eyes of the law, but I made a promise to my aunt and to her children. And, I will try everything in my power to keep my word. There is a court date scheduled for September 7th for the other two children. We ask for support during this time to help with the children, lawyer fees, etc. Please donate if you can. Any amount is appreciated. Share with others and keep us in prayer.
With Love
Thank you
Donations can be submitted through this link. For alternative donation options (care packages, school supplies, etc.) please contact us by email: [email redacted]
**Here’s the Back Story for Supporters Who Would Like Additional Information:
In June of 2014, my aunt Crystal was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Shortly after, the cancer progressed to stage 4, and she had to undergo a double mastectomy (the removal of both breast). As a single mother of five (2 boys, 3 girls), she was completely and understandably devastated. Her first thoughts and outward cries were for her children, and the uncertainty of their future(s) without her. With much help from family and friends throughout the years, even before her diagnosis, she has raised her children almost entirely without the physical, emotional, or financial support of their fathers. My aunt isn’t afraid to admit that she hasn’t always made the best decisions regarding her children…But, what parent is perfect? Due to her illness, she has had to make the ultimate decision for my cousins…
On June 18, 2016 (her birthday), my Aunt Crystal asked me one of the hardest questions any parent would have to ask. She said, “Niece. I have something to ask you. I’ve thought about this decision for a long time, and you can say ‘no’ but, I need to know, if anything was to happen to your aunt, will you continue to raise my children? I do not want them to be separated, and I know you will do right by them.” Without hesitation, I said, “Auntie, you didn’t have to ask. I’ve
always been there for them, and I will continue to make sure they are taken care of.” A month later, with further thought, I expressed to my aunt that it would be best for the children to also be raised by my Aunt Meke (Linda Pearson, her sister), mainly, because Aunt Meka lives in the home and was already helping to raise them. In addition, my Aunt Crystal’s youngest daughter had been raised by Aunt Meka since birth (she calls her mom as well). I didn’t want the children, especially the younger child, to lose both mothers. I wanted the transition after her death to be as smooth as possible. Unfortunately, this situation has already encountered a great deal of challenges.
In March of 2016. The two older girls (ages 12 and 13 at the time) asked their mother if they could write their dad a letter. At this point they had gone eight years without having a relationship with him: no phone calls, no birthday cards/gifts, no holiday visits. On Jan 30, 2007, both parents were ordered joint legal custody, and the father partial physical custody. Although both parents were awarded custody, the now 13yr. old was in the physical care of Andita Harley (A close family friend, she’s also referred to as mom by this child and as “sister” to my aunts) from 10mths-8 1/2yrs old. During that time, she maintained a close relationship with her mother Crystal, siblings, and maternal family. She was returned to Aunt Crystal’s care in the summer of 2013. *Their father chose not to be present. Like most children, the girls wanted to know why he was absent. My aunt found their father’s contact information in the white pages, and the girls sent off their letters. It took him a little time to respond, but they were eventually reunited with him in mid-June of the same year. They also had a chance to spend time with him during that summer while visiting family in Philadelphia, PA. Sadly, he noticeably favors the older daughter. The younger daughter has openly expressed her feelings and doesn’t understand why he treats her differently.
With that being said; my aunt’s health has taken a drastic change. In March of this year, the doctors told her that it was highly doubtful that she would make it through the rest of 2017. She currently has stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to her liver, kidneys, lungs, and bones, as well as congestive heart failure, diabetes, and she is even struggling to breathe on her own. Once she received this information, she asked me to come to Hampton, Virginia where they’ve lived for the past 4 years to help her file legal paperwork and write letters to her children. I was there within three days.
My aunt made sure the girls’ father was fully aware of the arrangement, and asked him to come to Virginia as well. On Friday, March 24, 2017, my aunts and I went to the courthouse to file paperwork for guardianship for the four minor children (ages 12, 13, 14, and 17). The father of the two older girls arrived in Virginia two days later. During this time Aunts Crystal and Meka (Linda), myself, the father, his female friend, and the girls had a meeting. We discussed the details of Aunt Crystal’s final arrangements for the children. We also explained to the father that he could keep 50 percent custody, but it would be best for the girls to be raised, especially after the immediate passing of their mother, by the only family they’ve ever known, and not be separated from their siblings. We wouldn’t keep him away from his children, but it would be important for him to maintain a constant relationship with them. He asked the girls where they wanted to live. They told him that they wanted to stay with their family, but wanted to spend
time and get to know him.
A week later my aunt allowed the girls to spend their Spring Break with him in Philadelphia. He returned them to their mother’s care on Saturday, April 8th. Almost two weeks later on April 20, 2017, my aunt received a court order stating that the father had filed for emergency custody and full physical custody. In the petition he made false accusations about her fleeing the state of Pennsylvania without him knowing (he hadn’t seen his girls for four years, before she made the decision to relocate), the physical wellbeing of the girls, cleanliness of their living environment, and the ability of my aunt to care for the girls. I’ve been in their lives since they were born. I basically help my aunts co-parent these children even from Philadelphia. They’ve always been properly cared for. Although my aunt Crystal is ill she keeps up with her parental obligations. My aunt Meka and their 19yr old brother are in the home as well. They eat three meals a day along with snacks, bathe daily, attend school and church consistently, have clean and decent clothing, etc. My aunt will go without to ensure that her children have everything they need.
**Updates
There were three different court dates involving the custody of the girls (only one involving all four children). The emergency custody hearing between the mother and father was scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at the Delaware County Courthouse, in Media, Pennsylvania. My Aunt Crystal was unable to appear because of her health, but had a lawyer and family (including myself) to stand in for her. The father did not win emergency custody. The girls along with their terminally ill mother (against her doctor’s wishes for her to travel) were summonsed to appear in court on the May 23rd, in Pennsylvania.
The second court date was Thursday, May 18, 2017 in Hampton, Virginia at the Eighth District Court Hampton J&DR Court involving all four children, mother, fathers, Aunt Linda, and myself. Pennsylvania holds jurisdiction involving the two older girls, so their case was dismissed (we knew this would happen after appearing in court in PA).
The father of the older child didn’t appear, so both aunts and I were awarded temporary custody, because his father wasn’t found and served. We have to go back to court on September 7th.
The father of the younger daughter appeared for court asking for full custody. This particular child was supposed to be given up for adoption when she was born. Aunt Crystal was unable to care for her at the time and the father signed over his rights. Instead of allowing her to be placed for adoption my Aunt Meka stepped in, named her and has raised her since birth. For the past four years she has lived with both mothers in Virginia. She knows her father and has been allowed to spend time with him, but their relationship is deeply strained, unhealthy, and he is not a constant figure in her life. We tried to work out a custody agreement with him, also set through mediation, but he would not agree. My cousin wants to stay with Mommy Meka. As I stated in the beginning it would be unfair for her to lose both mothers.
The third court date was held, on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at the Delaware County Courthouse, in Media, Pennsylvania. My Aunt Crystal had to travel to Pennsylvania against her doctors wishes, because the courts refused to allow a conference call…They said, “It would be in her best interest if she was present.” The judge decided to keep the original custody order from 2007 in place, because their father also refused to agree to anything. The girls are being forced to spend two weeks with him in the beginning of the summer, and two weeks with him at the end of the summer. The first two weeks will start on June 18th (their mother’s birthday and Father’s Day). This could be the last birthday my aunt gets to spend with her children. The 13year old was outraged with this revelation… In her eyes, she has two mothers (two families) and Andita’s fiancé is her “dad” …This battle will resume on August 2, 2017.
Please donate if you can, share with others, and above all PRAY for my aunt and family.
Thank you.
With love,
Koca (Dominique), Crystal, and Linda (Meka) Pearson
May 1, 2017
Hello:
My name is Koca (legally Dominique) Pearson. My Aunt Crystal Pearson was placed on hospice care on July 7th and passed away on July 22, 2017, at 2:54am from a three-year battle with breast cancer. She was the biological mother of five children (2 boys and 3 girls). My aunt left this earth without the custody disputes being resolved regarding her 4 minor children, ages 12, 13, 14, and 17. Her final wish was for her children to stay together and be raised by my Aunt Linda (Meka) Pearson and me. As of August 2nd, the father of two of her girls was awarded temporary custody. Their father was absent from their lives for 8 ½ years. My cousins have been taken away from their siblings and the only family they’ve ever know…They have clearly expressed to their father and to us on many occasions that they would rather stay with their mother’s family. He has failed to consider their feelings and what’s in their best interest during this difficult time. At the ages of 13 and 14 they have a voice and should be heard. We know we have an uphill battle to fight in the eyes of the law, but I made a promise to my aunt and to her children. And, I will try everything in my power to keep my word. There is a court date scheduled for September 7th for the other two children. We ask for support during this time to help with the children, lawyer fees, etc. Please donate if you can. Any amount is appreciated. Share with others and keep us in prayer.
With Love
Thank you
Donations can be submitted through this link. For alternative donation options (care packages, school supplies, etc.) please contact us by email: [email redacted]
**Here’s the Back Story for Supporters Who Would Like Additional Information:
In June of 2014, my aunt Crystal was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Shortly after, the cancer progressed to stage 4, and she had to undergo a double mastectomy (the removal of both breast). As a single mother of five (2 boys, 3 girls), she was completely and understandably devastated. Her first thoughts and outward cries were for her children, and the uncertainty of their future(s) without her. With much help from family and friends throughout the years, even before her diagnosis, she has raised her children almost entirely without the physical, emotional, or financial support of their fathers. My aunt isn’t afraid to admit that she hasn’t always made the best decisions regarding her children…But, what parent is perfect? Due to her illness, she has had to make the ultimate decision for my cousins…
On June 18, 2016 (her birthday), my Aunt Crystal asked me one of the hardest questions any parent would have to ask. She said, “Niece. I have something to ask you. I’ve thought about this decision for a long time, and you can say ‘no’ but, I need to know, if anything was to happen to your aunt, will you continue to raise my children? I do not want them to be separated, and I know you will do right by them.” Without hesitation, I said, “Auntie, you didn’t have to ask. I’ve
always been there for them, and I will continue to make sure they are taken care of.” A month later, with further thought, I expressed to my aunt that it would be best for the children to also be raised by my Aunt Meke (Linda Pearson, her sister), mainly, because Aunt Meka lives in the home and was already helping to raise them. In addition, my Aunt Crystal’s youngest daughter had been raised by Aunt Meka since birth (she calls her mom as well). I didn’t want the children, especially the younger child, to lose both mothers. I wanted the transition after her death to be as smooth as possible. Unfortunately, this situation has already encountered a great deal of challenges.
In March of 2016. The two older girls (ages 12 and 13 at the time) asked their mother if they could write their dad a letter. At this point they had gone eight years without having a relationship with him: no phone calls, no birthday cards/gifts, no holiday visits. On Jan 30, 2007, both parents were ordered joint legal custody, and the father partial physical custody. Although both parents were awarded custody, the now 13yr. old was in the physical care of Andita Harley (A close family friend, she’s also referred to as mom by this child and as “sister” to my aunts) from 10mths-8 1/2yrs old. During that time, she maintained a close relationship with her mother Crystal, siblings, and maternal family. She was returned to Aunt Crystal’s care in the summer of 2013. *Their father chose not to be present. Like most children, the girls wanted to know why he was absent. My aunt found their father’s contact information in the white pages, and the girls sent off their letters. It took him a little time to respond, but they were eventually reunited with him in mid-June of the same year. They also had a chance to spend time with him during that summer while visiting family in Philadelphia, PA. Sadly, he noticeably favors the older daughter. The younger daughter has openly expressed her feelings and doesn’t understand why he treats her differently.
With that being said; my aunt’s health has taken a drastic change. In March of this year, the doctors told her that it was highly doubtful that she would make it through the rest of 2017. She currently has stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to her liver, kidneys, lungs, and bones, as well as congestive heart failure, diabetes, and she is even struggling to breathe on her own. Once she received this information, she asked me to come to Hampton, Virginia where they’ve lived for the past 4 years to help her file legal paperwork and write letters to her children. I was there within three days.
My aunt made sure the girls’ father was fully aware of the arrangement, and asked him to come to Virginia as well. On Friday, March 24, 2017, my aunts and I went to the courthouse to file paperwork for guardianship for the four minor children (ages 12, 13, 14, and 17). The father of the two older girls arrived in Virginia two days later. During this time Aunts Crystal and Meka (Linda), myself, the father, his female friend, and the girls had a meeting. We discussed the details of Aunt Crystal’s final arrangements for the children. We also explained to the father that he could keep 50 percent custody, but it would be best for the girls to be raised, especially after the immediate passing of their mother, by the only family they’ve ever known, and not be separated from their siblings. We wouldn’t keep him away from his children, but it would be important for him to maintain a constant relationship with them. He asked the girls where they wanted to live. They told him that they wanted to stay with their family, but wanted to spend
time and get to know him.
A week later my aunt allowed the girls to spend their Spring Break with him in Philadelphia. He returned them to their mother’s care on Saturday, April 8th. Almost two weeks later on April 20, 2017, my aunt received a court order stating that the father had filed for emergency custody and full physical custody. In the petition he made false accusations about her fleeing the state of Pennsylvania without him knowing (he hadn’t seen his girls for four years, before she made the decision to relocate), the physical wellbeing of the girls, cleanliness of their living environment, and the ability of my aunt to care for the girls. I’ve been in their lives since they were born. I basically help my aunts co-parent these children even from Philadelphia. They’ve always been properly cared for. Although my aunt Crystal is ill she keeps up with her parental obligations. My aunt Meka and their 19yr old brother are in the home as well. They eat three meals a day along with snacks, bathe daily, attend school and church consistently, have clean and decent clothing, etc. My aunt will go without to ensure that her children have everything they need.
**Updates
There were three different court dates involving the custody of the girls (only one involving all four children). The emergency custody hearing between the mother and father was scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at the Delaware County Courthouse, in Media, Pennsylvania. My Aunt Crystal was unable to appear because of her health, but had a lawyer and family (including myself) to stand in for her. The father did not win emergency custody. The girls along with their terminally ill mother (against her doctor’s wishes for her to travel) were summonsed to appear in court on the May 23rd, in Pennsylvania.
The second court date was Thursday, May 18, 2017 in Hampton, Virginia at the Eighth District Court Hampton J&DR Court involving all four children, mother, fathers, Aunt Linda, and myself. Pennsylvania holds jurisdiction involving the two older girls, so their case was dismissed (we knew this would happen after appearing in court in PA).
The father of the older child didn’t appear, so both aunts and I were awarded temporary custody, because his father wasn’t found and served. We have to go back to court on September 7th.
The father of the younger daughter appeared for court asking for full custody. This particular child was supposed to be given up for adoption when she was born. Aunt Crystal was unable to care for her at the time and the father signed over his rights. Instead of allowing her to be placed for adoption my Aunt Meka stepped in, named her and has raised her since birth. For the past four years she has lived with both mothers in Virginia. She knows her father and has been allowed to spend time with him, but their relationship is deeply strained, unhealthy, and he is not a constant figure in her life. We tried to work out a custody agreement with him, also set through mediation, but he would not agree. My cousin wants to stay with Mommy Meka. As I stated in the beginning it would be unfair for her to lose both mothers.
The third court date was held, on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at the Delaware County Courthouse, in Media, Pennsylvania. My Aunt Crystal had to travel to Pennsylvania against her doctors wishes, because the courts refused to allow a conference call…They said, “It would be in her best interest if she was present.” The judge decided to keep the original custody order from 2007 in place, because their father also refused to agree to anything. The girls are being forced to spend two weeks with him in the beginning of the summer, and two weeks with him at the end of the summer. The first two weeks will start on June 18th (their mother’s birthday and Father’s Day). This could be the last birthday my aunt gets to spend with her children. The 13year old was outraged with this revelation… In her eyes, she has two mothers (two families) and Andita’s fiancé is her “dad” …This battle will resume on August 2, 2017.
Please donate if you can, share with others, and above all PRAY for my aunt and family.
Thank you.
With love,
Koca (Dominique), Crystal, and Linda (Meka) Pearson
Donations
Organizer and beneficiary
Allison J. Cote Donovan
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
Dominique Pearson
Beneficiary