Bring Ashley and Her Son Back Together

My name is Ashley LaRoche, I am 21 years old. I have a 3-year-old son, who is my whole world. In June of 2023, my ex kicked my son and me out of our apartment that we lived in to live with his parents so he could “clear his head.” That same evening he kicked me out, he had a new girl in our apartment that he ended up cheating on me with. I wasn’t even able to pack our belongings. When I did get some boxes back, most of our stuff was missing. He told his parents to send me back to Maine where I had moved from to be with him. I moved to Idaho from Maine at 17, I got pregnant in June right after my junior year of high school, then spent most of my senior year pregnant and still graduated and received my high school diploma. The only reason why I didn’t move back to Maine was because I didn’t want my son to be without his father and begged him to be a part of our son's life. Our agreement was that he would spend his days off from work with our son. He rarely followed through and I ended up losing two jobs due to the inconsistency.

He ended up canceling my car insurance. I was the only one making all of the payments, and he was threatening to take my car away. The threats were because both of our names were on the car and he didn’t want any ties to me. The only out-of-pocket expense from my ex was $500 for a down payment. After being scared every day for months that I was going to wake up with no car, I was left with no choice but to give it back.

I would like to make it clear that in no way am I trying to make my son's father look bad, I am simply telling the truth.

My son's father has not contributed financially or even given me a diaper. I finally had to file for food stamps so I could feed my son. The state opened a child support case on him and he filed for custody. When court came around, he had a closed file with CPS after they came to my house numerous times, all leading to unsubstantiated allegations.

The attorney that I did have was almost given no time to talk in the courtroom and he never submitted any evidence defending me, even though I do have all of the evidence proving all the allegations were false. On August 21st, 2024, the judge ended up giving temporary custody to my ex and leaving me with only 3 24-hour visits that can’t be consecutive. Every time I drop my son off, he bawls his eyes out, screaming and hyperventilating, gripping onto my shirt not wanting me to let him go. This was happening even before the custody changed and I had him almost every day since he was born. This happens if it is my ex or his wife; no matter who picks him up, he is crying. When I pick him up, he’s running to me with open arms, so excited to see me.

I have tried many times to co-parent, inviting my ex and his current wife to do different things to make it as easy as possible for my son and less traumatic. I get turned down every time. My ex says, “No, that will not be happening. I refuse,” when I try to plan things to do. I want to be a good example for my son that even though his dad and I didn't work out, we can still be friends and do what's right for our son.

He is the sweetest little boy, used to always be happy. He knows how to make you laugh and smile. Now he is always panicking and never knows if he's staying or going. He hides when it’s time to leave. It’s so hard to be away from him for this long of a period of time and he is not getting any smaller; he is already getting so big and smart.

My previous attorney has now withdrawn. He withdrew from my case because he took it on at no cost and my case is held in a county two hours away from his office. I found this attorney through the Advocates, who he had a contract with and worked with child custody cases. After he filed a change of venue, being how neither one of us live in the county that the case is held in, and the motion was denied, the distance became too much for him since he was not getting paid for travel.

I have found a new attorney who is great and is willing to represent me in my child custody case. I have until April 29th to retain private counsel. To retain this attorney, it’s a minimum of $10,000; however, after meeting me, he would be willing to start my case for $5,000. I work as much as I can. Any little bit helps. I know not everyone has a lot of money to spare, but even $1 helps me get to my goal of getting my son back with me. I would even be willing to pay back anyone who helps me.