Mom Loses Custody of Toddler Despite Incontrovertible Evidence of Sexual Abuse

Warning: Graphic Content

Another Mom Desperate to Protect Her Child From Sexual Abuse

[See ACTIVISM section below for court support info and petition.]

For Micah’s first 9 months of life, Melanie was his only involved, caregiving parent. She spent 24/7 loving and nurturing him. The father was not interested.

Then her ex stole Micah from her, demanding she live near him or he would not give Micah back. She was tricked into agreeing to him having 51% custody and her only 49% “temporarily”, assured that she would be given primary custody soon.

She quit her job and moved near him believing she would get primary custody returned to her. Of course, she never got custody back. It was a Family Court ruse.

INCONTROVERTIBLE EVIDENCE

Last year, Micah was brought to the ER due to rectal bleeding while in his father’s custody. Later, the day care provider called to inform Melanie that he was bleeding from his rectum and sent her pictures of blood in his diaper.

Along with rectal bleeding, Micah had anal lesions, yeast infections, penis discharge, and welts on his bottom. Micah would touch his penis and say “daddy” and engage in other behaviors consistent with sexual abuse.

Micah also has other behavioral issues and a speech delay, also consistent with abuse.

The ER doctor referred Micah to the sexual assault team and a pediatrician and recommended a colonoscopy be done. The father refused to take him.

DUELING TRO’S

Melanie filed for a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) to protect Micah from his father. In it, she cited the officially documented physical evidence of sexual abuse and supporting behavioral evidence.

Melanie says the father admits to having been sexually abused himself as a young child. Research shows approximately 30% of victims of child sexual abuse will go on to abuse children, further supporting the allegation.

Immediately after Melanie filed for a TRO, her ex used the old FRA (Fathers’ Rights Activist] trick and immediately filed for a TRO against Melanie. He claimed—wait for it—she is a liar and mentally ill—the never-failing, age-old tropes used against women who dare challenge male authority and entitlement in the family.

The thing is, it can’t be due to Melanie lying or being mentally ill because the doctors and day care center providers reported it, not to mention the pictures documenting it. Melanie’s court-ordered psychiatric exam found that she has PTSD symptoms caused by her ex’s abuse and his taking of Micah from her multiple times.

JUDGE SIDES W/FATHER

Unsurprisingly, Tarrant County Judge Judith Wells went with the patriarchal tropes. She granted the father’s TRO against Melanie, ignoring her TRO and the incontrovertible evidence of sexual abuse supporting it.

Judge Judith Wells

At first the father denied any abuse was occurring. Later he switched to saying that it can’t be proven the abuse is happening during his time with Micah. But the symptoms of abuse only occur during his time so this is obviously a bogus claim.

As happens so often with “Temporary” Restraining orders, the permanent hearing has been delayed for over a year, keeping the father in control of the child.

I have not seen my son in three months, after reporting abuse and asking for his removal from his father.

Micah continued to show symptoms of sexual abuse and his father has prevented him from getting the medical and therapeutic help he needs.

The goal is to silence Micah and not get him help.

There is a hearing on the father’s TRO next week. See ACTIVISM section below for more info on the hearing and Melanie’s petition.

PERVASIVE COVER UP

What’s happening to Melanie is happening to women all around the country and the world.

Family Court judges are disregarding abuse and unfitness by fathers and giving them custody, which is greatly harmful to the children and mothers.

Join The Women’s Coalition to help end the Custody Crisis.

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ACTIVISM

COURT SUPPORT!

Melanie is a very young mother—too young to be facing Family Court discrimination alone! If you live in Texas, please consider going to the hearing in Fort Worth to support her next Monday.

DATE/TIME: Monday, October 3rd at 1:30 p.m. Central Time.

WHERE: 200 E Weatherford St, Fort Worth, Texas

COURTROOM: Judge Judith Wells, 5th floor

There have been a lot of Texas moms who’ve contacted the Coalition over the years. It’s time to come together and show support for each other! If enough women are able to make it, there will be a rally/protest before the hearing.

You can RSVP at WomensCoalitionIntl@gmail.com [subject: Melanie hearing] to receive further info and updates.

ZOOM: If there is a zoom link, it will be posted in the comment section so watch this page.

With a donation of $25 or more you can request this high quality t-shirt which you can wear at Melanie’s hearing or any future Coalition activities. Donate at: PayPal.me/thewomenscoalition. Request at: womenscoalitionintl@gmail.com [S/M/L short or long sleeve].

PETITION!

Melanie has started a petition to gain support for protecting Micah.

Please sign the petition at: https://www.change.org/p/justice-and-safety-for-micah-ezra

I hope I can tell you all that he’s in my arms again soon.

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SEXUAL ABUSE SURVEY

The Women’s Coalition is documenting custody cases that involve sexual abuse to support our contention that judges are deliberately disregarding evidence of abuse by fathers.

If you reported sexual abuse of your child in Family Court, please take a minute to fill out this form. You may do this anonymously.

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You may also support the Coalition’s important work through a one-time or recurring contribution through PayPal.

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