Originally posted April 23, 2019 / Revised September 16, 2023
In the courtroom’s dimly lit hallway, tension hung thick in the air. It was July 23, 2015, a day that marked another chapter in our seemingly endless battle against parental alienation. Little did we know, 16 months of legal turmoil, four court appearances, several false accusations, and countless emptied bank accounts awaited us.
Our journey through this harrowing ordeal had stretched on for over 7 and a half years, accomplishing little beyond breaking our spirits. Our previous Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) had let us down when she failed to change custody in 2011, despite having the evidence and authority to do so. Unbeknownst to us, her track record was marred by her probation for failing to inform a father about a crucial court date, which ultimately led to him losing custody of his children. Her slap on the wrist punishment allowed her to continue practicing law while paying a mere $1,000 fine. I couldn’t help but hold her responsible, in part, for the parental alienation that had torn my husband away from his children.
Sitting outside the courtroom, we observed the alienator’s latest scheme unfurl. She summoned her attorney with an air of urgency, presenting a folder filled with enlarged photographs. Her demeanor screamed that she had a well-planned agenda, and it sent alarm bells ringing in our heads.
Staying one step ahead of the alienator had become our modus operandi. She thrived on blindsiding us with false allegations just before we entered the courtroom.
Jack and I put our heads together, trying to anticipate her move. We replayed every moment from the kids’ last visit, searching for anything that could be twisted against us.
And then it hit me.
The previous weekend, Liam and our dog Gus had been playing by the lake. At one point, Gus playfully jumped up and accidentally brushed against Liam’s leg, causing him to slip and scrape the outside of his leg.
That seemingly innocent incident was about to be turned against us.
Our attorney approached, his face grim. He informed us that the alienator had presented the court with photographs of Liam’s injuries from what she was dubbing a vicious dog attack that had occurred at our home the previous weekend.
What we later discovered was that in order to obtain those pictures, Liam’s mother and sisters had resorted to name-calling and forcibly held him down when he initially refused to cooperate.
Liam was only 13 years old at the time.