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Post by jeremyewald on Jan 14, 2024 11:38:37 GMT -5
Hi I'm Jeremy I'm 43 and I have an 8 yo son. He currently resides at my ex's house and his physical/mental health has deteriorated from the filth and squalor he is living in. CPS had already been called to the home (by an unknown 3rd party) and they did nothing. I asked for a callback and some pictures and was told they were only there to ascertain hot water and garbage service for the home. My son has missed at least a whole month of school yearly and has skin diseases, his growth was stunted, and has trouble focusing and he is depressed. He is very smart and knows the home is not normal. It's a hoarder nightmare, with obstructed passages, fire hazard, tripping hazard, insect infestation, and is full of garbage and feces. Moreover, the house is in my name and they have destroyed it. It is trashed, and has cost me thousands in property damage and equity loss. No attorney in the area will help me because of conflict of interest even though I have the funds, I have tried and tried. None of them call me back. Its become a long running farce it seems. I have a long list of people that will not help: attorneys, social workers, cps, police. I want to protect my child at all costs. I can't take it anymore, watching him suffer and grow like this. After being turned down left and right I fell apart from lack of hope and now the $10k from last year I had for legal fees is gone. I live in WA state and am literally begging for help.
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Post by danny15 on Jan 14, 2024 12:24:08 GMT -5
~~~~~~~~~~~ No attorney in the area will help me because of conflict of interest even though I have the funds, I have tried and tried. None of them call me back. Its become a long running farce it seems. I have a long list of people that will not help: attorneys, social workers, cps, police. I want to protect my child at all costs. I can't take it anymore, watching him suffer and grow like this. After being turned down left and right I fell apart from lack of hope and now the $10k from last year I had for legal fees is gone. I live in WA state and am literally begging for help. Hi Jeremy, I hesitate to give advice in this situation but I can only imagine your desperation, so I will. I also cannot imagine all the agencies who should be protecting your child and are not. I have bolded and underlined your words. This advice could get you in a lot more trouble so maybe not take it, your choice of course.
Under the extreme circumstances, if I were you, I would enter the house any way possible (you own it, it is in your name), take pics and then take your son and get the h*ll out. If your ex wants him back let her go thru the legal process.
Take your son for a physical and dental exam and any other professional help you can get. Keep those records to show that you are the best parent for custodial rights. Start an eviction process on your ex. If she has nowhere to live much less chance of getting your son back in a custody fight.
From what you say your son is in danger. Do whatever you need to do to help him.
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Post by def6 on Jan 15, 2024 17:45:27 GMT -5
It sounds like CPS was called due to utilities being cut off. You will have to file your own complaint for your concerns to be investigated. Home cleanliness, trip hazards make a list. Things like his "growth is stunted" would be pretty hard to prove though. I would have a very hard time allowing a child to be in such conditions. Honestly, I would call even if it was a neighbor's child.
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Post by Arid on Jan 16, 2024 6:02:54 GMT -5
I don't understand what you mean when you say that there is "a conflict of interest."
Are you saying that all of these people (attorneys, CPS folks, social workers, police, etc.) are related to your "ex," or is your "ex" someone of prominence; hence, the reluctance of others to get involved?
Either way, I can understand why you are so upset!
I wish you, and your son, the best.
Arid
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Post by TwinkleToes on Jan 17, 2024 10:05:42 GMT -5
I have the same question as Arid. What do you mean by conflict of interest?
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Post by papermoon on Jan 17, 2024 20:22:39 GMT -5
I'm wondering about several things that aren't clear...
- Are you and your "ex"* separated or divorced? If not, were you ever married? - If there was a marriage and divorce, who got the house? - Why do you call it your "ex's house" if it's in your name? - Are you the sole person currently paying mortgage, insurance, and property taxes? - If there was a divorce, what are the terms of visiting rights with your son? - Are you currently paying child support and/or alimony?
And finally, is there a restraining order against you? Is that why there's a "conflict of interest," why no one will help you?
With all those unknown factors, I don't think anyone on this forum is in a position to give you legal advice. If you follow danny15's suggestions, you may end up in prison.
* Since you have only identified this person as your "ex" without specific gender pronouns, we can't make any assumptions whether this person is male, female, or other gender identity.
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Post by papermoon on Jan 18, 2024 6:31:48 GMT -5
One more question...
Are there grandparents who would be willing to intercede on behalf of the child and his well-being? If agencies won't help you, they are more likely to respond to requests for a "wellness check" from another concerned relative, especially a grandparent. Even so, agencies are limited by law insofar as removing a child unless there's hard evidence of abuse or neglect or other endangerment, such as violence or fire hazards.
(I'm not sure if the OP will return to this thread again, so these questions may be merely academic.)
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Post by danny15 on Jan 18, 2024 10:37:26 GMT -5
With all those unknown factors, I don't think anyone on this forum is in a position to give you legal advice. If you follow danny15's suggestions, you may end up in prison.
I believe I pointed that out when I wrote ~
"This advice could get you in a lot more trouble so maybe not take it, your choice of course."
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