Beth, age 31, thought she was finally safe. She was focused on taking care of her son, Kaiden, who was born with only one kidney and asthma. But then Kaiden’s father, Frank, came back. He had beaten her while she was pregnant, and when Kaiden was four, he turned up again at her home, kicked down her door, and threatened her. She was scared, but she got a restraining order on her own. She realized later that wouldn’t be enough to keep Kaiden safe. Legal aid helped her get a custody order, and at the hearing, her legal aid lawyer had records to show the judge that Frank was lying when Frank said he had no previous assault convictions. Beth likely would not have known how to do that if she had been on her own. Now Kaiden and Beth are building a safe, stable life, free from Frank’s abuse.
