I'm hoping someone here can help me. I divorced my very abusive ex-husband over a year ago. He can't let go and I'm on my second protection order because he keeps threatening to kill me so that he can have our 4 year old son. I had filed a motion in Wyoming where I live for supervised visitation. My ex has child abuse on his record and a long history of violence. He filed a motion the next month (June) for an order to show cause hearing. My attorney in Wyoming advised me that it would alter my jurisdiction in my pending case if I attended. So, I went back to MI, gave the Friend of the Court copies of all the motions pending in Wyoming, advised them of what my attorney said and I didn't go. They issued a bench warrant for my arrest, gave my ex full temporary custody, and now I'm facing parental kidnapping charges. The judge who did this had all the info in front of him, both protection orders, his child abuse record, and copies of my pending motions. What can I do? Legal aid won't help me, I've contacted Congressman, Senators, and the Lt. Govenor back there in MI. No one is willing to help. I can't afford a private attorney as they want a lot of money up front. I'm a single mom of 3, I don't have it. So now as of July 7 I'm on the run and scared. I don't know what to do. I can't hand my son over to be hurt or to never see him again. They sign the warrant on July 7 for parental kidnapping. I don't want to deny my ex, I never have. I just want it done in a safe manner for my child. Please, if anyone has any advice I would appreciate it. Thanks.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2000