Happyfamilyof6
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? New York
Hello,
A couple days ago my decade long estranged mother-in-law corned my wife and my daughter during shopping checkout. My wife told her to leave them alone, but she continued to cause a scene, ranting at them, and threatened to call CPS. The cashier called for a manager, and he made her leave their space.
During bagging, she came at them again, this time holding up a camera, ranting, and taking pics of both of them. My wife told her to leave them alone again, but she turned to my daughter and told her how we were liars and brainwashers. The cashier noticed this, and came to tell her to leave them alone and she couldn't take pictures. My mother-in-law turned on her, and shouted she had rights and could take whatever pics she wanted. Cashier called the manager again who made her leave the area again, and stayed with them to make sure she wouldn't come back. There was more ranting in the parking lot, but they kept their heads down and left as soon as possible.
My mother-in-law is vindictive crazy, and has called CPS on us 3 times, numerous well-checks, a failed GPV suit, and more. She has also friended anyone my wife was ever associated with on Facebook to smear us. Besides the character assassination on Facebook, she has also disclosed my wife's place of work- encouraging people to ambush her, repeatedly says my full name, which would no doubt come up if an employer searched for me, encouraged a 'beefy' estranged relative to come over and 'say hi', and also recently encouraged someone to come here to beat me up. We have kept screenshots of all of these posts and communications. She has also asked people who see us out in public or my children playing in the yard to take photos of them. She regularly does background checks on my wife, and posts whatever pics she finds. It's pretty crazy, and has altered how we live our lives and who we share ourselves with.
My wife called the police to document the incident once she got home, and he suggested she file for an order of protection, which she did Friday. Both my daughter and wife were frightened by the confrontation, and we do not know how she will react with this face to face interaction- what kind of punishment she will dole out, who she will send here, and what they might do. In the past she admitted she 'needed help', and was suicidal, and she does have access to guns. My wife feels like now she knows she has nothing to lose, since my daughter (her obsession) shut her down, and will ramp up her usual activities, or worse. She is afraid to leave the home, or go on planned activities with my kids. My mother-in-law saw our car, which is very distinctive, and we expect she would see it and come at any of us again if out in public. This interaction was with my oldest child, but we do have 4 younger ones who would be even more upset to have this happen.
We feel like the long history of abuse by proxy and encouraging someone to come to our home to kick my a**, have people antagonize my wife at work, and picture stalking combined with this incident and my wife's fears should get us a little protection, but the officer said it didn't sound like she actually broke any laws to the point of being criminal.
Additionally, the officer stated he did not want to go interview her as to not incite her further, and we doubt that he went back to the store to gather witness statements.
My wife waited at the courthouse for several hours Friday to see the judge, but they decided it wasn't an emergency and scheduled an 'Initial Hearing' for this upcoming Thursday. We aren't sure what to expect at this hearing, and are concerned about the witness statements that would definitely help her case. I was wondering if she could go back to the store and ask for them herself so she had something to take with her on Thursday.
I'd really appreciate any insight on what she should expect at this hearing, and if it would be necessary to bring our daughter (who is 18, but still upset over the encounter). Also, does this sound like we have a case to have this order of protection granted?
Thanks so much for any advice or help. I am willing to elaborate on any details if needed.
Hello,
A couple days ago my decade long estranged mother-in-law corned my wife and my daughter during shopping checkout. My wife told her to leave them alone, but she continued to cause a scene, ranting at them, and threatened to call CPS. The cashier called for a manager, and he made her leave their space.
During bagging, she came at them again, this time holding up a camera, ranting, and taking pics of both of them. My wife told her to leave them alone again, but she turned to my daughter and told her how we were liars and brainwashers. The cashier noticed this, and came to tell her to leave them alone and she couldn't take pictures. My mother-in-law turned on her, and shouted she had rights and could take whatever pics she wanted. Cashier called the manager again who made her leave the area again, and stayed with them to make sure she wouldn't come back. There was more ranting in the parking lot, but they kept their heads down and left as soon as possible.
My mother-in-law is vindictive crazy, and has called CPS on us 3 times, numerous well-checks, a failed GPV suit, and more. She has also friended anyone my wife was ever associated with on Facebook to smear us. Besides the character assassination on Facebook, she has also disclosed my wife's place of work- encouraging people to ambush her, repeatedly says my full name, which would no doubt come up if an employer searched for me, encouraged a 'beefy' estranged relative to come over and 'say hi', and also recently encouraged someone to come here to beat me up. We have kept screenshots of all of these posts and communications. She has also asked people who see us out in public or my children playing in the yard to take photos of them. She regularly does background checks on my wife, and posts whatever pics she finds. It's pretty crazy, and has altered how we live our lives and who we share ourselves with.
My wife called the police to document the incident once she got home, and he suggested she file for an order of protection, which she did Friday. Both my daughter and wife were frightened by the confrontation, and we do not know how she will react with this face to face interaction- what kind of punishment she will dole out, who she will send here, and what they might do. In the past she admitted she 'needed help', and was suicidal, and she does have access to guns. My wife feels like now she knows she has nothing to lose, since my daughter (her obsession) shut her down, and will ramp up her usual activities, or worse. She is afraid to leave the home, or go on planned activities with my kids. My mother-in-law saw our car, which is very distinctive, and we expect she would see it and come at any of us again if out in public. This interaction was with my oldest child, but we do have 4 younger ones who would be even more upset to have this happen.
We feel like the long history of abuse by proxy and encouraging someone to come to our home to kick my a**, have people antagonize my wife at work, and picture stalking combined with this incident and my wife's fears should get us a little protection, but the officer said it didn't sound like she actually broke any laws to the point of being criminal.
Additionally, the officer stated he did not want to go interview her as to not incite her further, and we doubt that he went back to the store to gather witness statements.
My wife waited at the courthouse for several hours Friday to see the judge, but they decided it wasn't an emergency and scheduled an 'Initial Hearing' for this upcoming Thursday. We aren't sure what to expect at this hearing, and are concerned about the witness statements that would definitely help her case. I was wondering if she could go back to the store and ask for them herself so she had something to take with her on Thursday.
I'd really appreciate any insight on what she should expect at this hearing, and if it would be necessary to bring our daughter (who is 18, but still upset over the encounter). Also, does this sound like we have a case to have this order of protection granted?
Thanks so much for any advice or help. I am willing to elaborate on any details if needed.
