My daughters father has abused her through out her life, for many years I have kept her with therapists and kept her visits with dad to supervised. He has now gotten a judge to give him physical custody, claiming I moved (I didnt), we had a hearing where I proved I was still living in the same house, my daughter had repeated her accusations of her dad sexually abusing her to the CASA (victim assistant) worker, she testified that she didnt believe my daughter eventhough the therapists believed her and she had been consistant for years. Now the CASA worker says I should only have supervised visits & that is the only way the truth will come out. Is it me or is this b!!@@ an idiot? How is putting the child in the custody of the person she said abused her EVER A GOOD IDEA???? I dont know what to do, I am feeling lost & cant afford an attorney, plus Indiana doesnt appoint attorneys so I just plain dont know what to do for my daughter...I havent seen her in 6 months! ADVICE?
2007-04-30 09:22:15 · 14 answers · asked by prayers4emma 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If this truly is the whole story then dat b*tch is ******* retarded. i just dont know what to tell you. just make sure you check up on them as much as you are allowed to and let the guy know that you will kill him if he tries anything. Give your daughter an emergency cell phone that only you 2 know about and make sure she would be comfortable enough to call you in case something goes down.
2007-04-30 09:31:55 · answer #1 · answered by 360waves_professor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried contacting legal aid? Most states have a legal aid office to help people who don't have money for an attorney.
I can't imagine why a judge would give the dad custody, even if he said you moved, especially if abused is involved.
I would have to agree, that the CASA case worker has a couple of screws loose. Having done some work with CASA, I can't see why they would make the recomendations they did.
Sadly, if you don't have the money for an attorney, things will probably get worse. Have you tried to finad an attorney that would be willing to work on a sliding scale. Hope that helps.
2007-04-30 10:58:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How awful for you and your daughter. It stinks how the justice system seems to be against the innocent and for the criminals. Your state has stupid laws also. Aren't there any attorneys around there that help people with limited incomes?
If it happens again, can your daugher call the police? How old is she?
I've heard other horror stories like this where stupid judges and case workers have their heads up their nether regions and don't see what is really happening until it's too late. I wish you could get an attorney. Keep looking and good luck to you.
2007-04-30 09:30:50 · answer #3 · answered by lilith663 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if she has told a therapist, why hasn't the guy been prosecuted? (a therapist has to report abuse to authorities..it's part of the oath). service workers like that are binded by oathes and would be held responsible by law if they don't say something. as for the idiots that gave her to him...the law and the people that enforce it are idiots. but how old is your daughter? doesn't indiana have an age of consent? she should be able to tell the judge (or whoever) who she wants to go with. I would look into some sort of "victim's advocate" programs in your area (for your daughter), they may be able to help out with finances or a lawyer.
these are only suggestions, i'm not a lawyer.
2007-04-30 09:36:18 · answer #4 · answered by jbela2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i understand your inability to afford a good attorney but please do consider getting in debt over something like this ( i mean get a loan)
there are some law firms that do pro bono ( offer free legal service) in some cases, check that out!
also there are several non public groups that deal with cases of sexual abuse and they could give a good piece of advice and help
as for the CASA worker if you think that he is prejudiced unfair and does not strive for your daughters welfare then try to use the complains procedure of CASA ( there must be one)!
if you do come in contact with your daughter and she is still sexually abused urge her to secretly from her father go to the nearest hospital and explain her situation, several tests will occur that if positive can sustain a very strong argument in court.
Best wishes on your case, take good care of your daughter!
2007-04-30 09:33:08 · answer #5 · answered by good 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think if the court system dont believe you and she did make the accusations maybe neither of you should have her right now. find a happy medium.. an aunt or someone who will keep her until it all gets worked out.. and she is living with him so if the abuse is continuing cant they do a "rape" test on her at the hospital. i am not sure of her age but she could video tape the assaults and that would be proof.. why cant they make him or her take a lie detector... i thought casa was for the kids...good luck.. i cant believe with those accusations they let him see her.... and she went without kicking and screaming...
2007-04-30 09:29:19 · answer #6 · answered by notaclue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry for what happen to your daughter. No child should have to go through this. Why don't you have your daughter testify in court and tell her side of the story and make sure she tells everything her father did to her. And If you know that she doesn't feel comfortable with her father, she shouldn't be forced to see him. Thats not right and you should really sit with her and talk to her about that. It should be her decision and you should be there and make sure that is what she wants. But I will pray for your daughter and and you and your husband. I hope your daughter is ok and I wish the best for you and her. Please email me african_trizian@yahoo.com.
2007-04-30 13:40:16 · answer #7 · answered by african_trizian 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something does not sound right here - particularly about the case worker not beleiving your daughter.
Get to your local Legal Aid Society and they will put you in touch with an attorney that can and will handle your case PRO BONO (that means at no charge to you in case you don't undersand free).
GET YOURSELF A LAWYER - NOW.
2007-04-30 11:34:50 · answer #8 · answered by jim_elkins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They may not appoint attorneys...but have you checked into legal aide? I have never heard of a state that doesn't offer that. They will bill you on a sliding fee scale based on your income. You may be able to contact your local Department of Human Services for the phone number.
Good Luck.
2007-04-30 09:27:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call another CASA or have your daughter call the police with her story. If she accuses him, they have to investigate.
You will need to take out a loan if necessary to get a lawyer. This is your daughter's life we're talking about.
2007-04-30 09:27:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋