Tig is right, call the clerk, give your name and ask if there are any court dates coming up or if any orders just happened?
If you can go down there it would be better and ask for copies of anything new. Then you can file an emergency order to stop father from taking child out of school if he really did not receive custody.
This all does not sound correct, if you really did not know about the court dates, it usually is postponed but eventually have to make a decision. Call and find out what has happened in the last 7 months.
You can also see if you qualify for legal aid and have a lawyer help you.