I never imagined I would have to fight this hard just to keep my child safe, stable, and with the parent who has always been there for her.

In July 2025, my daughter Ariya’s father took her on what was supposed to be a vacation to Michigan. During that trip, he tried to keep her and not return her home. Since then, our lives have been turned upside down, and we are now in a serious custody battle.

We went through mediation, and the recommendation was in my favor. Even so, her father chose to take this to trial. Now everything comes down to this next step, and I am doing everything I can to be prepared.

Ariya has autism, and her father is now claiming that I have neglected her medical needs and is trying to paint me as an unfit mother. These accusations are not true. I have always been her primary caregiver, making sure she gets to every appointment, every therapy, and receives the care and attention she needs to thrive.

What has made this even harder is that her father told the court that Ariya was already enrolled in therapies when she was not, and there have been multiple inaccurate statements made in court paperwork. Because of this, we are currently on a month-to-month custody schedule, which has been extremely difficult and disruptive for her.

At the same time, I am caring for my newborn baby, who Ariya absolutely adores. Despite everything going on, I am trying to keep our home filled with love, stability, and normalcy for both of my children.

Right now, I am facing trial fees that I must come up with in order to move forward and properly defend myself in court. This is not something I can manage on my own, especially on such short notice.

I am asking for help to cover:

• Trial fees

• Attorney preparation and representation

• Court-related legal costs

This isn’t just about me—this is about protecting my daughter, her future, and making sure her best interests are truly heard.

Any support means more than I can express. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this could make a huge difference for us.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for standing with us during this incredibly difficult time.