Need advice for a friend, here's the situation:
Single mom, seperated, 2 kids, no custody agreement in place.
Mom's 'well meaning friend' decides to drop by un-announced to drop off something while she's at work, kids are at school, makes the drop off and leaves (presumably). Due to a rash of break-ins in the area over the last year or so, over-zealous elderly neighbour calls police to report a strange male lurking around the house of said single mom.
Police arrive just after youngest child (12-ish) gets home from school, asks where mom is. Child says mom hasn't been home since yesterday. Child is apparently only capable of answering exact questions asked and doesn't elaborate. Child leaves out that she stayed at dad's place last night as mom stayed at a friend's house, but says that mom stays away overnight often. Elderly neighbour tells child there was a strange man lurking. Neighbour confirms mom is often away overnight recently. Police call mom at work, child texts dad about strange man lurking. 'Well meaning friend' is, of course, nowhere to be found at this point.
Mom arrives home to find ex-husband talking to police about how to get custody of both kids. Mom TRIES to explain why someone else was there at the house, however police are more concerned that child was home alone and 'mom hasn't been home since yesterday'.
Police call CAS. Mom is informed that a home evaluation has been recommended within 7 days and a full assessment of the 'situation' in 30 days. Dad wants to take kids home and apparently feels youngest child is too scared to stay at the house, mom says no. Mild argument ensues, police intervene. Dad wants to take full custody of the kids and, although says he won't lie to CAS, will use the CAS report to further his agenda in getting custody.
Given how ridiculous the situation is, does mom have anything to be worried about re: CAS report or custody of the children? What should Mom's next steps be?
Single mom, seperated, 2 kids, no custody agreement in place.
Mom's 'well meaning friend' decides to drop by un-announced to drop off something while she's at work, kids are at school, makes the drop off and leaves (presumably). Due to a rash of break-ins in the area over the last year or so, over-zealous elderly neighbour calls police to report a strange male lurking around the house of said single mom.
Police arrive just after youngest child (12-ish) gets home from school, asks where mom is. Child says mom hasn't been home since yesterday. Child is apparently only capable of answering exact questions asked and doesn't elaborate. Child leaves out that she stayed at dad's place last night as mom stayed at a friend's house, but says that mom stays away overnight often. Elderly neighbour tells child there was a strange man lurking. Neighbour confirms mom is often away overnight recently. Police call mom at work, child texts dad about strange man lurking. 'Well meaning friend' is, of course, nowhere to be found at this point.
Mom arrives home to find ex-husband talking to police about how to get custody of both kids. Mom TRIES to explain why someone else was there at the house, however police are more concerned that child was home alone and 'mom hasn't been home since yesterday'.
Police call CAS. Mom is informed that a home evaluation has been recommended within 7 days and a full assessment of the 'situation' in 30 days. Dad wants to take kids home and apparently feels youngest child is too scared to stay at the house, mom says no. Mild argument ensues, police intervene. Dad wants to take full custody of the kids and, although says he won't lie to CAS, will use the CAS report to further his agenda in getting custody.
Given how ridiculous the situation is, does mom have anything to be worried about re: CAS report or custody of the children? What should Mom's next steps be?
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