Center for Judicial Excellence

Justice. Accountability. Integrity.

  • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • CJE Staff
  • Donate
  • Contact CJE
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Initiatives
    • Advocacy
      • Media Advocacy
      • Policy & Legislation
      • Prior Legislative Victories
    • Educating Oversight Agencies
    • U.S. Divorce Child Murder Data
    • Marin Court Misconduct
  • Multimedia
    • Kids of Divorce Speak Out
    • CJE in the News
      • PRINT
      • TV & RADIO
      • Press Releases
    • The Director’s Corner
    • Multimedia Projects
      • Film
      • Photo Exhibit
      • Slideshow
    • Photo Gallery
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Previous Forums & Events
    • 10 Year Anniversary Campaign
  • Take Action!
    • Join CJE
  • Resources
    • Family Court Crisis Background
    • Domestic Violence & Child Abuse Resources
    • Pro Bono Services, Self-Help Centers & Court Information
  • Membership
  • News
  • Blog
You are here: Home / Multimedia / Family Court Crisis Online Photo Exhibit / Eric – Firefighter – 7 Years in Family Court

Eric – Firefighter – 7 Years in Family Court

 Prince George’s County, MD

Click to Enlarge Photo

Click to Enlarge Photo

Eric and his son’s mother never married, but he willingly gave her child support, bought clothes for his son and visited him often during his first year. When the boy was around one year old, his mother began refusing to let Eric visit him. Eric was forced to file for custody because the Maryland courts won’t allow parents to file solely for visitation. The court granted him three- and four-day visits in alternating weeks.

After the boy’s mother married another man, Eric knew that something was wrong. His two-year-old son would cry, kick and scream, and try to run away when Eric returned him to his mother and stepfather’s house. It got so bad that Eric reportedly had to give him candy to get him to go back. A few months later, the boy told Eric, “he keeps beating me, Daddy . . . make him stop.” Eric called Child Protective Services (CPS), but without photos or evidence of bruises or cuts, he was told that he was required to return the child to his mother.

When the boy was nearly three years old, he disclosed to Eric that his stepfather was molesting him. Eric was dressing his son after a bath, and the boy said, “[Stepfather] kisses my penis, Daddy. I don’t want you to kiss my penis.” This time, CPS agreed to investigate, but they informed the boy’s mother first, and about three days later, Eric was charged by the boy’s mother with child abuse. The investigation found that the molestation claims were substantiated, but they couldn’t determine the perpetrator. The boy’s mother had insisted that he call his stepfather “Daddy,” which complicated the investigation. CPS and the court ordered the mother to take the boy to therapy, and the boy was eventually sent to live with his maternal grandmother.

A Guardian Ad Litum was appointed by the court to evaluate the custody situation, but Eric said he “acted more like the mother’s attorney and had an attitude.” The court then placed Eric’s son back into custody with his mother and stepfather. A few months later, the boy disclosed more physical and sexual abuse. Eric let his son tell the police about it, but they called his mother and sent him back with her. Three days later, the police followed up to investigate, but by then, the boy had changed his story. Eric later learned that the boy’s mother had threatened to beat him if he ever told anyone about the abuse. Eric was forced into court many times to urge the court to enforce its order that the mother find therapy for their son. She eventually complied, but the therapist she chose apparently informed her each time her son disclosed his abuse. After each disclosure, he was allegedly beaten by his mother and/or stepfather. His therapist never reported the disclosures to the authorities, as required by law. Needless to say, Eric’s son soon stopped talking about the abuse altogether.

Eric was forced into court to get a new therapist appointed to work with his son. After a year and a half, the therapist determined that their seven-year-old son was suicidal, and that he was vulnerable to gang violence, drug abuse and alcoholism. The therapist then blamed Eric for going to court to try to get the boy into appropriate therapy, claiming that those court appearances about therapy were a big part of the boy’s problem.

Eric faults the whole system, including the police, who repeatedly placed his son in harm’s way. Eric knows that he “can’t give him back his innocence. I can’t make him see the world the way he saw it before.” Now he sees his son every other weekend, and they have a good relationship, despite their seven-year ordeal in the family court system.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Print

Family Law Documentary Trailer

Recent News

Marin Voice: New film exposes crisis in U.S. family courts

April 5, 2018

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. For those of … [Read More...]

Recalling judges in Contra Costa and San Francisco counties

April 3, 2018

It was September of 2016. I was currently under … [Read More...]

Assistant DA, civil litigator contest Persky in recall election

March 14, 2018

Almost exactly two years after being thrust into … [Read More...]

Family concerned for 4-year-old girl’s safety before mom, boyfriend accused of killing her

March 13, 2018

EUCLID, Ohio - Family members expressed concern … [Read More...]

More news

News Archive

Contact Us

P.O. Box 150793
San Rafael, California 94915
Phone: 415-444-6556
Email:
info@centerforjudicialexcellence.org

Find Us on Facebook

Follow CJE on Twitter

My Tweets

Email List Signup

CJE DOES NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE. If you have a legal problem, seek professional legal counsel. We want to hear your story, however, please be advised, if you choose to share information with us, we can not guarantee your privacy.

 

Copyright © 2018 Center for Judicial Excellence. All Rights Reserved.

Log in