Help M Fight For Her Children's Safety

Hi, I'm posting on behalf of my best friend M (at least that's the name being used for privacy reasons). All funds will go directly to her.

The Mother & Son, for reference.

M is a 25-year-old single mother to two lovely children- her three-year-old son and a new little one expected in 2025. You were probably directed here because you know M through online communities and are familiar with her journey of trying to escape domestic violence about three years ago.

At that time, M found herself in a fight for stability and safety, struggling to separate from her abuser while enduring control over her finances, stalking, and the threat of abusive litigation- attempting to file for custody of her son after leaving her abuser. The path was incredibly difficult, and the jobs she took, though they provided the necessary financial support and schedule flexibility that a single mother needs, were morally troubling, as they conflicted with her values. However, at the time, they were the only options available to help set a foundation for M and her son. Even through the struggles, M was able to build a foundation to give her son a healthy and happy life.

The full gruesome details of her story are shared elsewhere, and she says she welcomes any questions that may arise. However, to summarize her current situation: M's disappearance between the autumn of 2023 and the spring of 2024 was a direct result of her abuser discovering where she was living and subsequently having her abducted. During that time, he kept her son in a severely harmful environment, and at present, she does not have the means to help him, despite all of her efforts.

Presently, she does not have legal representation, and despite her efforts to fight for her son’s safety, the legal system has proven to be an overwhelming and inaccessible barrier. The county where the case is open has been particularly corrupt in denying her the support she needs, including access to an ombudsman, transcripts, and critical records from her legal hearings.

Since the spring of 2024, M has worked tirelessly to rebuild her life while studying and working diligently to represent herself in court. However, the reality is that she lacks the resources to properly defend her rights and secure the safety of her children. The situation is made even more challenging by the fact that her abuser can afford a lawyer, while M simply does not have the tens of thousands of dollars needed to hire one at this time.

Some of the many set-backs of having been abducted include debt, closed credit cards, major hits to her credit history, and generally being financially unable to return to the life she was fighting so hard to build for her and her son.

Currently, the lowest cost for legal representation from an attorney who will take M's case is $15,000 USD, an amount she cannot pay upfront. She has attempted to negotiate payment plans, but no attorney is willing to work with her. She has also reached out to pro bono and low-bono attorneys in that area, but her abuser has consulted with them all, resulting in conflicts of interest that prevent her from securing their assistance. (To be clear: He has hired *multiple* lawyers to this case whose rates start at $20,000. He lives for free with both of his parents. He never needed representation from low-income legal aid; this was purely a strategy to prevent M from being able to secure representation from them.)

Another result of being abducted from her home is needing to move due to her ex’s stalking (yet again.) Thankfully, she has found a new home where the landlord is willing to work with her credit history, provided she can pay first and last month’s rent along with a $1,200 deposit upfront. The monthly rent is $2,400, which she can easily manage, but the initial sum is beyond her reach.

Finally, there is a health issue that she is facing, which her insurance will not cover, despite repeated attempts to have it addressed. In her words, "typically, I'd do my best to just take care of myself and manage the pain with home remedies and OTC-medicine while I save up to afford treatment. But this particular procedure I need is critical. It poses a serious risk to my unborn child if left untreated. Additionally, it can pose a threat to my own life, leaving me unable to save my three-year-old son from a dangerous situation and adjust to a safe life again." The cost for this procedure is $3,500, and without it, we fear for both M's health and the well-being of her children.

I am posting on her behalf, but the rest is by her hand:

"The total amount required to address these urgent needs is $24,300. I recognize that this is a significant sum, and I do not wish to ask for a handout, but rather, a loan, with the sincere intention of repaying every penny. If it were an option, I would manage these costs via weekly or monthly payments, but the reality is that immediate action (in the form of immediate payment) is necessary to protect my children and rebuild our lives.

Any assistance you can offer- whether financial or by sharing my story with others- would mean the world to me. My children are my absolute top priority, and I am the sole person responsible for their well-being. Your generosity, in whatever form, would make an immense difference in my ability to care for them, and I would be forever grateful for your support.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, for any kindness you can offer, and for keeping my children and I in your prayers."

With genuine gratitude,

J (and M)

**Picture is silhouette of M and her son.**