Sad Day for Fathers (Supreme Court Ruling)

[Travis]

Please read the following link to the Supreme Court case just handed down in the West Virginia Supreme Court:

http://www.state.wv.us/wvsca/docs/fall03/31325d.htm

After raising my daughter for several years, it seems the supreme court of WV has decided to rip her out of her school just before Christmas and send her off to another state to live with her mother.  If anyone has any thoughts or opinions, feel free to share, after having read the above case ruling.  As always, my daughter and I stand in need of your prayers.

Travis Hager
[email protected]

[hisliltulip]

Travis, I am so sorry for you and your little girl.  Don't give up, and know that we are praying for you!


Beth

[VeronicaGia]

Is there any way for you to appeal this ruling?  Do you have to appeal to a higher court?

Only one judge with common sense.....I'm so sorry for you and your child.

[Travis]

No way I can appeal this decision since it is the Supreme Court of West Virginia.  When I got custody of my daughter 7 years ago, my X-wife has sued me 30 some odd times (no exaggeration) and I've successfully defended myself and my daughter on each and every occasion.  This is after my X has been held in contempt of court 22 times, been arrested for Felony Child Concealment, as well as assault on my mother outside the courtroom.

I'm in a situation where my daughter is being placed with a woman who doesn't want her; she just doesn't want me to have her, and with a man who has had numerous instances of domestic violence.  In the ruling of the Justices in this case, they list an entire paragraph of all the things this man owns and that the child would benefit materially from the change.  Apparently this means that a man, with no blood relation, is entitled to my child more than me, because he has more money than me.  Essentially it is against the law to be poor.

[Indigo Mom]

Contact Dateline, 20/20, every news channel in your state, (and hers) all newspapers, heck, even call all the local radio stations.

Cripes, contact the Today show!  Contact every Senator, every Governor, contact every "official" in both states.  

I know it seems crazy, but look at what happened with Elian Gonzales.  I highly doubt he'd be with his father right now if this case wasn't done in the media.

Get crackin, this is a SICKENING injustice. Get this shit out into the public asap.

I'm also wondering what would happen if a bunch of us also contacted these places on behalf of your daughter?

[Nowastepmom]

I am so sorry for you and your daughter.  I am not all that good at reading that legal mumbo jumbo, so I am taking away from it that the judge ruled that the lower court's rulings were bad.  Why did the supreme court rule this way?  So there was a protective order for this girl against bm's boyfriend, and the judge still thought that this was in the child's best interst?  That just doesnt make any sense to me.  And all the contempt charges.  And the fact that you have had to been sued by this lady so many times.  That is just ridiculous!!!  So do you have joint custody now, or what??

Keep us posted!!!

[Travis]

After years and years of this War I'll have to admit to some degree of Battle Fatigue.  I've got about 20 days with my daughter before they take her out of her school and 1,500 miles away from me.  This is on top of having to redo my house after the floods swept through it (drywall, carpet, furniture, etc all need replaced).  Throw on top of this the fact that I've had to sell off the 200 acres of land that's been in my family for generations in order to pay lawyer and travel fees, and its just an encredible amount of pressure.  This is after my X has called CPS (Child Protection Services) on every friend I've ever had in a quite successful attempt at isolating me.  I'm not looking for pity, and would respond harshly to anyone who offered it, but perhaps I am looking for just a little understanding, and perhaps even a bit of approval from others who have suffered for the sake of the little ones.

I've armed my 9 year old daughter with as much knowledge as I can.  After her mother left her unattended at hotel pools several times and strangers had to save her from drowning, I paid for and attended her swimming lessons until she can swim better than I can.  The folks at CPS visit so often that my daughter and I know them all by first names since they're required to investigate each call.  Each call has been found to be completely unsubstatiated.

My current goal is to spend the next few days with her and try very, very hard not to be angry or bitter and just enjoy my time with her.  After she's gone I'll take a few more days and uncork all these emotions and deal with them.  After that, I'll begin the fight again.  Somehow.

[Travis]

Thank you for your concern and taking the time to read this.  It's so very easy to become convinced that we live in a world full of apathy, and its people like you who remind even cynics like myself, that there are good people left.

Trav

[sweetnsad]

My sincerest condolences to you and your precious daughter...How awful for both of you...I do feel that this is the most HORRIBLE injustice, especially to a little girl who loves her dad and wants to be with him....
I will pray for you and keep you in my thoughts..

[hisliltulip]

Travis, hang in there, keep praying, and find someone to literally pray with you.  Trust me, this works!  God works in many ways, sometimes we do not understand, but eventually all is answered.

Check Indigo's post below, I whole-heartedly agree with her.  Contact the media, they may be your only weapon right now.

Also, go to Soc's board.  He may have an avenue to go down that we haven't thought of yet.

Hang in there, and keep us posted PLEASE!

BETH

[Arya]

This is hideous. Goddamn&d  courts. F*ing lawyers... Is there anything remotely colored "Justice" in this country any more? How about plain and simple right and wrong? Freaking "PC" BS is what this all is. Political Correctness gone freaking POSTAL! Damn this pisses me off...

I have sent the link to Sean Hannity at FoxNews. If everyone who reads this sends one to him as well, perhaps, just maybe, we can get this man's story out. Any takers? Post any other emails that we can send to and maybe there will be someone who will take up the story. Better than doing nothin...

[email protected]

Arya

[MKx2]

Just sent the e-mail - hope others will follow suit.

[Travis]

Here's both links:

Majority Opinion:

http://www.state.wv.us/wvsca/docs/fall03/31325.htm

 

Dissenting Opinion:

http://www.state.wv.us/wvsca/docs/fall03/31325d.htm

 

[Indigo Mom]

I've found NBC, CBS, and FOX.  I can't seem to get the ABC website at all, it seems to freeze my computer.

NBC

http://www.msnbc.com/news/435157.asp?0bb=-m1

Today Show
[email protected]

Weekend Today
[email protected]

Nightly News With Tom Brokaw
[email protected]

Dateline NBC
[email protected]

MSNBC TV
[email protected]

MSNBC Investigates
[email protected]

CBS

Early Show
[email protected]

48 Hours Investigates
[email protected]

60 Minutes
524 W. 57th St.
New York, NY
10019

Phone: (212)975-3247

60 Minutes 2
[email protected]


Fox

(tons of addys at this website, don't know if any of them are prime shows)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,77538,00.html

[Indigo Mom]

It's sposed to be

[email protected]

[fusilier]

Travis, it is a sad day for everyone. It probably is little comfort and doesn't change the situation you are facing, but know that you are not the only father & daughter in this circumstance, and that there are folks out here keeping you and yours in their prayers. I know I think of packing up and running to another state/country. A desperate act for desperate times. Don't go down without a fight. Keep the faith.

[StPaulieGirl]

Hahaha, I was going to read through the entire thread before I replied.

If someone has email addresses to the appropriate people, I would be glad to help conduct a bombardment!!!  I already owe someone on here a plea for help on another message board.  Travis, if it's ok I'll post your comments, and the court findings :-)

We've been known to shut down servers )(

[StPaulieGirl]

This is terrible.  The WV Supreme Court is filled with idiots.  At least your little girl grew up with a good parent that taught her right from wrong.  She will always know that you love her.  Don't despair, maybe people can help.

[StPaulieGirl]

I say we nail them!  We also need the email addresses for the Governor, the WV Supreme Court, and all WV elected officials.  Travis is already hurting, so I don't see the harm in a little national indignation...

If someone could come up with a form letter that we could all slightly alter to our own preferences, that would really help.  

[StPaulieGirl]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1039265/posts

[wendl]

I would suggest buying your daughter a calling card, that way she can contact you, you can get cards from this site that only allow the person to call the number you indicate.

Let her know if she is scared or being hurts its ok to tell a teacher or call 911.

Call the poilce dept and request they do a child welfare check and make sure they have a number that you can be reached at.

Prayers to you and your family, it sucks how family law works, they don't really imo do what is in the best interest of the child.

[Kitty C.]

That way the ONLY numbers she can call are ones you designate, so the PBFH can't use it for her own use.......

[wendl]

That is what I was trying to say.  

[StPaulieGirl]

A couple of people have some questions(not being aware of how much fun it is to be a male custodial parent), about your situation.  Do you mind answering then?  You'll have to register, but I think that you can get something started between both these websites.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1039265/posts?page=19

[floridadad630]

You are a great man Travis.  You did all that your children could have asked.  If all ncp's were to do what you did, the custody laws would change.  Wish me luck on my pro se appeal in Florida for joint physical custody.  I too will appeal if to Florida Supreme Court if I lose in the Fifth District.  Still haven't researched how to appeal to United States Supreme Court, but I will.

By the way, my thoughts on a move battle are to fight it, and if you lose move too.  God Bless you man, and I'm not religous.

[Hawkeye]

Travis, My heart goes out to you and your daughter, and with that I second Indgo's message of takin' it to the streets.... Get a video camera, beg, borrow or buy it with a 15-30day return privelige and start recording everything you can, bring a friend to tape you and your daughter together.

Call your local tv/radio stations, newspapers, magazines...
Ask for the news director or a top editor, they'll pick up on your story before the national media will. If you know of anyone else in your area that is in a similar boat, join forces, if only in spirit.

This kind of injustice must be exposed or more will follow.