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My ex-husband and his wife have invited her ex and his new wife to move in with them. The ex-husband has a felony conviction for 2nd degreee child abuse and served 3 yearsand was released about 2 years ago. He was also arrested for domestic violence during their marriage. Now my child has to go over there. Many arguments have broken out. The stepmom is being very mean to her. She started an argument on my child's birthday and then again this last visit. My child has multiple mild disabilities including emotional problems and has yet to recover from her last visit. She cries not understanding why the stepmom is so mean to her. She now has to go back in 2 days. Do I have any legal standing to keep her home? Does his felony conviction (in Michigan) in any way cause problems for my child being in his care here in TX? My ex works nights and she will often be left with these people as free babysitters. He does not deny anything, simply requests for more time to straighten out his family and blames the current problems on my daughter's abuse accusations that resulted in CPS investigating last fall. The allegations were against another child in the home, the son of the felon, not against an adult.

A conviction is a conviction no matter where it happened. I would speak to an attorney to see what legal rights you have. I cannot see the courts putting a child into this situation without extensive studies being done. Once this issue is brought in front of a judge, it would become the responsibility of the court to ensure the safety and well being of the child.

I would high-tail it back to court and get a hearing as soon as possible. I would not want my child around those people either. I hope you're able to get it all worked out!

7 July 2009

The main phone number in Austin, Texas, for the Board of Pardons and Paroles is 512.337.9142. Before calling have in front of you the felon's complete name, and, hopefuly, a date of birth, driver license number, Social Security Administration account number, and so forth. As much information as you can muster to pin down identity helps. The "system" has many offenders with the same name. It is unlikely you will have all the desirable identifying information but having some should help zero in on this felon.

Ask that shop if the felon is on parole, who his parole officer is and how to contact that person. If you can reach that parole officer, that communication should be fruitful in both directions.

Also, if you know the Texas county in which the conviction was obtained, those criminal files are public record. I do not mean the police file or the DA's file, I mean the court file. The court file will at least have his complete name. Nowadays those court files may not have "socials" but may have DOBs. If you locate the felon's file or files, have copies made and sent to you. Clerks usually will not copy and send without advance payment.

How old is the child in question? You may want to get advice on how to counsel the child about self-protection.

Also, have you confronted the X about this issue of concern? If done, it should be privately and without the child being aware and others listening in. See how he reacts. You may later wish to memorialize the conversation with a followup letter.


Please let this list know what you learned and how the situation pans out.