Ex on drugs and has the children

[tinahopper]

My friend is currently trying to get custody of his children from his ex-girlfriend.  They have no court orders that state who has custody and he has had the children for about a week since his ex is a pill popper and a child abuser.  Today when he went to work she had tracked down the sitter's house and went in and took the children.

Is there anything he can do to get the children back before the court date?

[Sherry1]

a drug user and a child abuser?  If there is nothing documented by the police and/or child protective services, the chances are unlikely she will be able to get custody back from her ex.

Why are the kids with dad in the first place?

[janM]

Unless I read this wrong, mom is the alleged abuser. He had the kids with him and she came and got them (as is her right). Your advice applies, just in reverse.

OP, what has he filed for, and is there a court date? Is he the legal father (DNA, paperwork)?

With no court orders, mom has custody.