Please Pray for my Cousin!

[Soapets]

It can't be considered kidnapping if it's her own child and there isn't any court order preventing her from taking the baby anywhere she wants to take her. It would only be kidnapping if there is already a court order in place giving the father joint custody, or visitation rights, etc.

If she takes the child and goes somewhere without the father's knowledge, in order to get away from the father and the danger, it would then be up to the father to get a court order to force her to let him have access to the child. It doesn't sound like he would do that, and if he tried he probably wouldn't be successful at it, judging from what you're telling us he is like.

She needs to document everything that he says and does that could be considered threatening, dangerous, harmful, etc. You, your dad---ANYONE involved---need to record dates and times, and what was said or what happened, etc. If there is a written log of events, it will go a lot further in court than if it is all just verbal recollections. A lot of times in the legal system, if things aren't documented in writing, then "they didn't happen."

It will also allow her, and anyone else involved, to be able to remember things better. Then, if/when he tries to get a court order allowing him to have access to the child, she will have a written log of things as to why it would NOT be in the baby's best interest for this to happen. It will include exact dates, times, verbal threats, and/or physical events. Take pictures of things he breaks, property he damages, etc. Describe what happened, when, how, what was said, etc.

She needs to seek help through a domestic violence program, or women's shelter. They can provide her with housing that will be safe, somewhere that he doesn't know about. They can also provide her with help or good advice on how to go about getting a lawyer, etc.

But strongly encourage her to start documenting things NOW, so nothing is forgotten, and it is all on record. He might start "acting" better if/when he knows his behaviors are being documented to be presented to the court, if it should come to that. You want to have his REAL behaviors documented before he starts trying to put on a positive show for the court in that case. Do it before he knows what's going on.

PLEASE keep us updated on this situation. She and the baby will be in my thoughts and prayers, as well as you, and your dad, and anyone else who may be involved.