Team Max And To Receive Justice

My name is Alfonso Auelua and my son is Maximus Upuese Auelua. In December of 2012, his mother was cited for child abuse and later charged. Max wasn't even a year old at the time. In 2014, we left his mother due to physical abuse and infidelity. From August 2014 until July 2015, I raised my now 4-year-old son, Max, on my own. During that time, we did not know where his mother lived; I only knew where she worked. She would not return any of Max's phone calls. Finally, on July 4th of 2015, his mother reached out to us saying she wanted to be a part of Max’s life again. It wasn't long, however until her physical abuse returned. I am only beginning to learn how sad our justice system is for a single father. After spending time with his mother, Max has returned home repeatedly with bruises, scratches, cuts, and bruised ribs.

This prompted me to file a child protective order. Although it was originally approved, it only lasted 60 days, with an investigation to follow. We were then scheduled for a court hearing to meet with a judge. I was without an attorney, unfortunately, as I wasn’t able to afford one as she was also not paying child support. Against her attorney, and the court-appointed Guardian ad Litem, who not once returned my phone calls prior to the hearing, I gave the judge the photos I had of Max’s injuries. The commissioner dismissed the photos and my claims, and removed the child protective order.

Immediately after the hearing, a detective from the Lehi City Police did a video interview with Max at a treatment group for crime victims. The detective, along with three other women, clearly stated after the interview that Max told them his mother was abusing him. I was told the videos were for evidence to convict the mother as she broke her plea deal and the child protective order.

On April 19, 2017, however, I followed up with the Lehi City Police who informed me that all three of my child abuse cases since December of 2016 have been closed due to lack of evidence.

I am now reaching out, desperate, heart broken, and sad that I cannot protect my baby. I am requesting any help to assist us with the funds we need for legal fees to appeal the commissioner’s decision on the child protective order to protect Max. Any help you could provide us would be greatly appreciated.