Being a mother has always been my greatest calling, and I am deeply proud of my four children.
My two oldest children, ages 14 and 13, are from a previous marriage. Their father spent much of their lives incarcerated for vehicular manslaughter. I have always maintained a clean record and have never been a drinker. Since his release in 2021, I have been repeatedly taken back to court—not for the purpose of healthy co-parenting, but through ongoing legal actions that have steadily limited my ability to see my children.
As of April 2025, I have had no contact with my older children and have been denied court-ordered visitation. They are now residing in another state. During this time, Iowa CPS issued a founded child abuse determination against me, which I firmly dispute and am actively appealing. This finding is preventing meaningful progress in family court and must be cleared in order for me to move forward.
I have exhausted my financial resources attempting to navigate this situation. I have represented myself through multiple trials and closed-chamber hearings involving the children, but the legal complexity has made it clear that professional representation is necessary. Unfortunately, the cost of qualified legal counsel has placed me tens of thousands of dollars in debt, and I have been denied traditional loans.
I am seeking assistance to retain an experienced attorney to:
• Appeal and clear the CPS finding
• Present evidence to the court
• Enforce existing visitation orders
• Protect my parental rights
The immediate amount needed to retain counsel is $5,000, with a broader goal of $10,000 to cover ongoing legal proceedings related to this case.
I am not seeking full custody. My goal is simple and deeply personal: to have the opportunity to see my children and remain a part of their lives.
Asking for help is not easy, but at this point, it is my only path forward. Any contribution or share is deeply appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any support you are able to provide.