I asked for a guest account just in case....I don't even know where to begin and I am hoping others may be able to help, maybe someone has gone through this?
My ex has our daughter one day a week right now(until recently). This has been the case since September. He isn't dating someone who is safe to be around our daughter, so the judge limited his time.
My daughter has been in therapy and seeing a psychiatrist for several months now due to the problems with her dad and his girlfriend.
2 weeks ago I took her to her therapy appointment. She sees her dad on Sundays, so therapy takes place on Monday.
She disclosed to her therapist that her dad touched her inappropriately. The therapist asked a couple questions to kinda feel it out. I was in another room and the therapist came and told me she would have to report to CPS. I asked her to also call the GAL involved in our case.
I also called CPS, the GAL, and her pediatrician to see what I should do. I also went to see the court facilitator to find out what I needed to file to protect my daughter. I filed for an emergency ex-parte restraining order and it was granted. We were both pro-se.
She was examined at the ER, but they didn't see anything. We're waiting to be seen at the local child abuse clinic.
My daughter has fallen into a deep depression. She barely eats, sleeps all the time, nightmares non-stop. Her psychiatrist has prescribed an anti-anxiety med and a anti-depressant. She has been seen by her Dr., psychiatrist and continues to see her therapist. CPS did come out to talk with her and she disclosed the same information to them. The worker said that no visits should take place until the investigation was complete.
Last week he hired an attorney. I found out that this attorney uses all legal resources he can and tries to draw things out. Of course he has an attorney and I don't. I don't know what to do. They asked for a continuance so the attorney could prepare and it was granted and the restraining order was extended.
With the ex-parte restraining order I filed a parenting plan. I suggested supervised visits, but after talking to the therapist and psychiatrist they said there should be no visits. So I plan on filing a amended parenting plan saying no visits. I also plan on filing the new letters I have. So far I have one from the pediatrician. My daughter has been complaining it has hurt in that area since October. She said daddy touched me and hurt me in November, but no one thought it was credible, so the Dr. included all of that in her letter. I also have a letter from CPS, the psychiatrist, and her therapist. I am also writing a declaration.
I am so SCARED. I am still in a state of shock. I am basically functioning only to do what needs to be done. There is a lot riding on the appointment with the child abuse clinic next week. I am scared because she has good days and bad days right now. If she is having a bad day, she won't talk to anyone. The Dr. interviewing her next week is experienced and his report could mean the difference between a criminal investigation or saying there is not enough proof. What if she doesn't want to talk. What if he can't get anything from her?
what if they allow my ex to have my daughter? How can I protect her? What if he keeps on hurting her....I mean she already tried to tell us once and no one believed her because she couldn't clearly state what happened :( Has anyone else been through this? Any advice? I can't afford an attorney. I have sought out the volunteers lawyers program, but all they can do is assign me a 30 minute appointment to help fill out paperwork. I feel like this is his word against mine :(
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