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I once helped a daycare dad, by testifying for him in a custody dispute. Its one of my proudest moments as a provider. I felt I was advocating for the child, in her best interests. As providers, we wouldnt hesitate to report suspected abuse, for the sake of the child. We do it not just because we are mandated, but because its the right thing to do- in this case, ot was he right thing for me to do.
Dad lived across the street. His girlfriend got pregnant, and moved in. He paid off all her debts. She never appeared to be in a relationship with him, just lived there with the child. Until one day when he came home from work and they were gone, moved out. Dad was devastated- that little girl was his everything- It took him over a month to track them down. She was moving in and out of different homes, living with different men, and dragging the child along. Dad was going for FULL custody, and asked me to testify on his behalf, tht he could provide a stable and
safe home for her. I said yes. His lawyer contacted me, and asked for a statement of oly FACTS, not opinions, of what i witnessed...so i wrote the following:
When child is brought to me, she is always clothed properly in well fitting clean clothes. Her hair is clean and neatly combed with ponytails and barrettes. She is brought to the doctor for regular checkups and immunizations, and she visits the dentist annually. She comes to daycare with well fitting winter snowpants, boots, hats, and mittens, She has clean diapers and no diaper rash at drop off. She eats well while here and is never brought hungry. She is always buckled into a properly-sized carseat while put into the car, and when brought to the park, she is strapped properly into the father's bike carrier and is wearing a helmet. I see her father bing her outside daily, and he is always propery supervised while in the font yard. Her temeprment is always happy and cheerful. ".....so basically, my testimony was nothing to do wit the mother, but just that he was providing excellent care.
When it was time for the trial, they put me on speaker phone, and asked me questions....end result was that he was given full custody, until sich time that the mother had a more stable living situation, and they they reached a shared custody aggreement. he gives me credit for saving her from a really bad sitauation, and always expresses his utmost gratitude doe helping him. i would do it again, for him and his daughter....
Dad lived across the street. His girlfriend got pregnant, and moved in. He paid off all her debts. She never appeared to be in a relationship with him, just lived there with the child. Until one day when he came home from work and they were gone, moved out. Dad was devastated- that little girl was his everything- It took him over a month to track them down. She was moving in and out of different homes, living with different men, and dragging the child along. Dad was going for FULL custody, and asked me to testify on his behalf, tht he could provide a stable and
safe home for her. I said yes. His lawyer contacted me, and asked for a statement of oly FACTS, not opinions, of what i witnessed...so i wrote the following:
When child is brought to me, she is always clothed properly in well fitting clean clothes. Her hair is clean and neatly combed with ponytails and barrettes. She is brought to the doctor for regular checkups and immunizations, and she visits the dentist annually. She comes to daycare with well fitting winter snowpants, boots, hats, and mittens, She has clean diapers and no diaper rash at drop off. She eats well while here and is never brought hungry. She is always buckled into a properly-sized carseat while put into the car, and when brought to the park, she is strapped properly into the father's bike carrier and is wearing a helmet. I see her father bing her outside daily, and he is always propery supervised while in the font yard. Her temeprment is always happy and cheerful. ".....so basically, my testimony was nothing to do wit the mother, but just that he was providing excellent care.
When it was time for the trial, they put me on speaker phone, and asked me questions....end result was that he was given full custody, until sich time that the mother had a more stable living situation, and they they reached a shared custody aggreement. he gives me credit for saving her from a really bad sitauation, and always expresses his utmost gratitude doe helping him. i would do it again, for him and his daughter....
For me, it's simply a line I choose not to cross.
!
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