All things said are relevant. Yes I was charged with misdameanor negligent child care nearly 10 years ago and yes i have been in therapy ever since. No, a judge wont forget that and it will always reflect on me. Thats why I included it in OP because it is relevant.
yes I should have established custody prior to leaving or gotten the courts permission. Ignorance to the law is no excuse but it is a fact.
Now here are some other facts:
Even when a paternity acknowledgement has been signed and the fathers name is on the birth certificate, paternity must be legally established prior to custody hearing.
Judges don't like making snap interstate rulings such as emergency returns. Judges are most likely to encourage a father to petition for custody.
Jerking an autistic child out of a necesarry specialized program that home state does not offer may not be an issue when it comes to a temporary emergency injunction; but it sure will when it comes to establishing permanent custody.
Sometimes when a fathers unstable mental state and chemical addiction poses an immediate threat, a mother does what she has to do and gets her kids out of a bad situation asap. Unfortunately they dont give protection orders to save you from a drunk unless he hits you. verbal, mental and emotional abuse just dont cut it.
And, the money that the bank gives me when I cash my disability check spends just like all other money. There are mothers who raise a family on disability all over the country and get by just fine.