JUSTICE FOR JACOB Donate. Speak out. Demand accountability.

On February 1, 2024, my three-year-old son, Jacob, left my care to travel to Vietnam with his father. That moment is seared into my memory: Jacob glanced back, waved, and said, “Bye Mom, I’ll call you.” His father’s demeanour that day worried me—I knew, in my heart, he intended to take Jacob away for good. That was the last time I was allowed to speak to my son.

In the days, weeks and months leading up the abduction, I was not allowed to communicate or receive proper travel information, and my son started expressing concerning experiences with his father. Instead of address them, they took me to court. I struggled to navigate the court system which was already not in my favour. His lawyer refused any communication, even to schedule the motion, and often was able to secure very quick motion dates, and requested specific judges. All my pleas were denied.

Fearing for my son’s safety, I made the agonizing decision to withhold him, defying a court order. What followed was another police encounter: two male police officers arrived at my door—not to assess my son’s well-being, as I invited them in, but to relay a message from his father: “Your child doesn’t have a bruises, it’s hives." I told them they were wrong. Ok, we’ll file a report of non-compliance.” I told them to leave my house immediately. As I closed the door, Jacob, hiding behind me, cried out, “Mom, they gon’ take me!” I reassured him, “No, baby, no one is going to take you anymore.” I lied to my son. I failed him.

The father’s lawyer, Kristen Normandin, responded with aggressive legal action. Despite my repeated concerns and the evidence I provided, my warnings about Jacob’s safety were dismissed. I also noted the father was in not following the original travel order. I requested that the court return the motion so I could secure legal counsel to address the complexities of the situation. I was denied. I struggle to understand how a legal professional could act in this way, and why a judge didn't see the obvious glaring concerns.

Normandin’s actions raised even more questions. Materials submitted for the motion included details from a confidential complaint I had filed with the Law Society of Ontario about an alleged inappropriate relationship between her and her client. I allege, to this day, it was a conflict of interest from the onset. Rather than addressing my complaint, the Law Society shared this sensitive information with Normandin, who then used it in a motion regarding Jacob’s travel. This motion facilitated a one-week trip to Vietnam, a non-Hague country, culminating over $13,000 of payments to the firm, that turned into my son’s indefinite removal.

Ultimately, the court issued an order endorsing Jacob’s departure. Plus, order included make-up time for his father. I was in complete shock. The judge relied on promises made by Normandin and her team—promises that went unfulfilled to simply provide me flight numbers. The father was continuously in breach of Orders, and I didn't know they could be enforced with physical force with such frivolous documentation. If I did not hand. Jacob to his father, the RCMP or Toronto Police were authorized to take him.

The moment I handed my son over, I was filled with dread, but I complied, hoping I might be wrong but also not knowing what else I could do. I called the CAS in panic, they never responded. Jacob's abuse had been reported to the CAS multiple times, not just from me, but they never followed up.

The decision to comply with a court order is a regret I will have the rest of my life. After days of no contact from the father, lawyers, or the family in Vietnam responsible to communicate with me as per the court order, I asked someone to help me hire a PI, who discovered the father was travelling with someone (against the court order), they were staying in another place, and worse, my child was found on a scooter, with unknown individuals without shoes and shirt and helmet.

Receiving this information is beyond words, but his family—like his lawyers—responded with aggression. They went to the Vietnamese police, not to seek justice, but to distort it, claiming I was there not for my own son, but to abduct theirs. Just as Kristen projected her own criminality onto me, so did they.

When will this nightmare end.

Since then, my efforts to advocate for Jacob have been met with financial and emotional roadblocks and intimidation at every turn. My concerns about potential abduction were dismissed as “purported” by his lawyer, who assured a judge the father "gave up" his Vietnamese citizenship. Another fact simply inserted by Kristen.

The pain of separation and the immense resources required to navigate this legal nightmare has been overwhelming. I share my story with the hope of finding support to bring Jacob home and to prevent this from happening to another child.

If you are unable to contribute financially, I ask that you share this with five people who might be able to help. Please envision Jacob’s safe return to Canada each day.

You can also advocate for justice by writing to The Honourable Arif Virani and urging the Minister to facilitate a criminal investigation and legal action against those responsible.

To those who have supported us through this ordeal, your kindness and belief in our story have been a lifeline. I am endlessly grateful. For updates, please visit The Court and Me (link in updates). If you have experienced abuse or injustice, I welcome you to message me for access if you can't sign up.

Jacob, my love, I will never stop searching for you. I am here. And just like our nighttime story by Nancy Tillman—Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You.