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Hi All,
Been lurking for a while but finally had a need to post something.
I divorced a few years back, and we have a 4 year old together.
She resides currently with the mum.
Last night before taking my daughter home she said she didn't want to go home because mum beats her, I asked why she beat here, and she said because she is naughty.
I had noticed some red marks on her [censored] on occasion, and she had mentioned she got spanked once in the past but I never really believed it as Mum and myself had agreed that corporeal punishment was not part of our regime of upbringing.
I called Social Services and Police as it had me really worried about taking her home. I asked mum if she could stay another night so that I could take advice from social services without telling her the reasons why of course, It got me a royal bollocking and I was told it would dock a day from my autumn break with her.
Social Services have told me I need to exercise my PR and keep child away from mum for the time being, so I've told mum of that and she told me to speak to her lawyer going forward if I ever want to see my daughter again.
The police has alerted the school as well and advised them only to release the child to me.
I guess next step is to file for emergency hearing for change of custody while the police investigates?
I also would like some advice on choosing a lawyer that looks after fathers in family court.
I really wish my daughter made it up as she didn't want to go home, I've always been in favour of 50/50 as both parents are important in their childrens life. I told my daughter it's naughty to hit someone and that mummy shouldn't do that. She did overhear me speak to the police briefly, and I then repeated the same thing, that the police said it's naughty to hit, and left it at that as I don't want her taking any direction from me in any conversation with social services.
Hi
Yes, you do need to make an emergency application so the court can make decisions going forward.
For the emergency hearing, you could look for a Direct Access Barrister in your area and that will allow you time to find a lawyer going forward. Just my suggestion. Sure others will have ideas too.
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