For the record, we live in Prince William county and we did finally beat mom at her own game.
Dad and I live together, with my three girls, and now his two boys. She BM dropped the boys off on mothers day, told us she couldn't take care of them financially anymore and off she went. She visited when she wanted, picked them up from school and didn't tell anyone they wouldn't be coming home on the bus, and missed every school event.
She got married like a year after this, and wanted the boys back. As much as they say its not true, I believe the courts always give the mother the child. NOT THIS TIME, stood our ground UN MARRIED and won.
Keep the faith.