I feel like Rat...or Piller...

[Ducatamount]

Hang in there man. One step at a time.

[IZ]

 

[DesmoDiva]

Every little victory adds up. 

[the_Journeyman]

+1!!!

Going about things correctly and officially are looking to work to your benefit, even though it's taking a lot of time.

JM

[ZLTFUL]

So another year, another hearing...this time, a permanency hearing.

Went down on the coldest day in 20 years to yet another hearing.

My ex-wife got out of prison on December 6th. She didn't try to contact my daughter until Christmas day. And then, she barely was on the phone for 5 minutes before she left.

The week before the hearing, the case worker in Missouri called me to notify me that my ex-wife was being investigated for several threats she supposedly made. Apparently, she was planning on hurting herself, child/children (the 2 with her second husband) and her child's/children's caregivers. She also showed up to a meeting with her parole officer hammered and with her 3rd/4th husband in tow...apparently, the no contact order has expired so nobody was really violating their parole...they're both on parole...
The case worker called me so that we could arrange a police escort at the courthouse. 

Anyway, hearing day rolls around, the town we are headed to got 8 inches of snow the night before and was also experiencing extremely cold temps and gusty winds. Court got pushed back from 9:30am to 11:00am.
We get to the courthouse and almost immediately, 2 sheriff's deputies come over to our car and escort me and my daughter in.

In the conference room before the hearing, I hand over my request for concurrent jurisdiction for the purposes of pursuing custody of my daughter and removing her as a ward of the state of Missouri.
The state is OK. The Guardian Ad Litem is all for it and the juvenile court officer is supportive. Before the hearing, they take the order to the judge asking that it be entered during the hearing and signed.

Hearing starts, my ex wife asks to testify.


She says, "I believe that it is in the best interests of our daughter to grant Ryan permanent and sole custody of Charlea. I will not pursue custody or visitation."
She also addresses several rambling diatribes in regards to the state, the courts and the case worker along with the sheriff that is investigating the threats.
She then requests, "one final visit with my daughter..." The judge denies it for that day as until the investigation is concluded, they will not allow her visitation without a UA and a law enforcement supervisor.

The judge signs the order granting concurrent jurisdiction and goes to recess.

After the hearing, my ex wife spoke with Charlea...there were tears but Charlea never even flinched.

I think having her on the outside looking in at the train wreck that are her sister and mother's lives, she wants nothing to do with it.
She has adjusted well to her new lifestyle. She has friends, a job (had 2 jobs for a while but the second job was at the mall during Christmas), she is doing exceptionally well in school and her and my wife are getting along better than ever before.

She still has teenager moments. She hasn't been (caught) smoking and I think that she is coming to the realization that I am very flexible as long as she is completely honest with me.
She has talked to me about her mom and she wishes that she would get better but is starting to accept that her mom is the only one who can make her better.

Next steps are having my attorney file for sole custody here in Iowa. Once that is filed and approved, no more trip to Missouri for foster care hearings.
The state of Iowa sent a case worker to do a "6 month" report...the case worker was stunned that I hadn't not yet been given full custody.

Anyway, things are smoothing out greatly. My ex wife is facing her demons and even though she isn't

[scaramanga]

very happy for you bud..
Cheers

[Bladecutter]

That's great news to hear about how your youngest daughter is responding to living in a supportive, stable home environment.
You're one step closer to having a reasonably normal life.

Congrats!

BC.

[ducpainter]

About time.

[Ducatamount]

Very good news and glad to hear it.

[lethe]

Heading in the right direction. 

[the_Journeyman]

Agree with Lethe!  Right direction!

JM

[Monsterlover]

Nice

[IZ]

My TV is down though so I guess I know what to tune into for the next couple months!  

Well, sounds like everything might just work out.   

Just in time too..I ended up getting my cable turned back on last night!   

[Speedbag]

 

[Langanobob]

Haven't followed this whole thread from the beginning since we have a full set of "Breaking Bad" disks and they've been providing all the drama I can deal with!  Very glad to hear that things are working out and I hope they continue to be positive.   Just a guess based on what your daughters been through, she's going to be a bit of an adrenaline junkie (not necessarily a bad thing) and it would be good if she could get involved in sports or something active and positive to hold her interest.  Disclaimer - I have zero experience raising a daughter.