Full custody or PFA

[gatherk]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

The father of my child (now ex-boyfriend) is under investigation by children services and the police department because my 2 month old daughter had bruises on her face, buttocks and lower back. He has hit me before, but he said that the bruises were an accident on my daughter by bumping her off her bassinet. The doctor said the bruises dont match his story. This week children services is closing the case and I am afraid that he will get partial custody. I want to know if I can go to court and get full custody and him only get supervised visits. Or should I go get a PFA. I dont want to have to get a PFA, but I need custody of her now. I don't think he would acutally hurt her purposefully, but he is very careless with her. But I cant let anything else happen to her even if by accident.

 

[Isis1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

The father of my child (now ex-boyfriend) is under investigation by children services and the police department because my 2 month old daughter had bruises on her face, buttocks and lower back. He has hit me before, but he said that the bruises were an accident on my daughter by bumping her off her bassinet. The doctor said the bruises dont match his story. This week children services is closing the case and I am afraid that he will get partial custody. I want to know if I can go to court and get full custody and him only get supervised visits. Or should I go get a PFA. I dont want to have to get a PFA, but I need custody of her now. I don't think he would acutally hurt her purposefully, but he is very careless with her. But I cant let anything else happen to her even if by accident.

was paternity established?

in this instance, DO NOT allow this man anywhere near the baby. if you do, and social services are not done with their investigation, you may suffer some interference with CPS.

get a protection order.

as an umarried mom, you have sole custody.

if and when dad files for visitation, you request supervised visits with a professional supervisor. dad will have to cover the costs of the visits.

 

[gatherk]

Yes paternity was established. his name is on the birth certificate. she has his last name.

 

[gatherk]

Also, the paternal grandmother watches the baby. The father is now living back with his mom because he got his name taken off the lease of our apartment. If I get a PFA, I have a feeling his mom won't want to watch her anymore. And he wouldnt be able to be there when she did anyway. I am kind of stuck here because I cant afford daycare with my job, I applied for subsidized daycare, but it has not gone through yet. I will barely be able to afford my apartment because even if I got child support from the father, he just started a new job and it is only part time.

 

[Isis1]

Also, the paternal grandmother watches the baby. The father is now living back with his mom because he got his name taken off the lease of our apartment. If I get a PFA, I have a feeling his mom won't want to watch her anymore. And he wouldnt be able to be there when she did anyway. I am kind of stuck here because I cant afford daycare with my job, I applied for subsidized daycare, but it has not gone through yet. I will barely be able to afford my apartment because even if I got child support from the father, he just started a new job and it is only part time.

this is about the safety of your child. get the PFA. DO NOT allow granny to watch the child if dad lives there.

you need to find something else to accomodate daycare. you put your child back in the situtation, and CPS will be all over you. are you willing to lose your child over free daycare?

 

[gatherk]

No I am not. I just didnt know if there was a way to do this without getting a PFA. As part of the safety plan provided by child services it constitutes that father cannot be in caretaker role. He is allowed supervised visits. He is allowed to be at the grandmothers house because she counts as supervisor.

 

[Isis1]

No I am not. I just didnt know if there was a way to do this without getting a PFA. As part of the safety plan provided by child services it constitutes that father cannot be in caretaker role. He is allowed supervised visits. He is allowed to be at the grandmothers house because she counts as supervisor.

then take it to court, file for custody/visitation/establish paternity on an emergency basis. appoint grandma as the supervisor, attach the safety plan.

the reason WHY you should get a PFA, is to start a papertrail. you want to be clear to CPS that you ARE doing this in the child's best interest. if they feel you are not doing your best to protect your child, this case can turn on you very quickly.

 

[gatherk]

will i need a lawyer for that? because I do not have money to pay for one? or is there a way to get one through the court?

 

[Isis1]

will i need a lawyer for that? because I do not have money to pay for one? or is there a way to get one through the court?

you don't NEED a lawyer for this, but it's always a good idea to get one if you are not familiar with court lingo. there ARE self help centers at some courts, there is legal aid, there are law libraries, self help books at libraries, some courts have self help packets that walk you through the process.

i am not aware if PA assigns lawyers for civil cases.

 

[gatherk]

I just thought I would let you know. I went and got a PFA. A temporary one is in place til the hearing.