Rose lived in Central Oregon with her two toddlers, AJ and Emma, and Emma’s father Jon. Throughout their relationship, Jon violently abused Rose. In 2018, Jon attempted to kidnap Rose during an incident of domestic violence. This was his second criminal offense for abusing her, so he was sent to prison for several years. Despite his incarceration, Jon continued to harass Rose through his attorney and his family members. Jon’s father filed a motion to intervene in the custody case trying to get visitation with Emma. Rose was forced to flee out of state to get away from Jon and his family. She knew she needed protection, and help with custody of Emma, so she reached out to legal aid.
Legal aid agreed to represent Rose in the custody modification case, and also helped her apply for a stalking order to protect her from Jon. Because Jon was trying to abuse the discovery process to get information about Rose’s location, legal aid also assisted with a protective order to prevent Jon from obtaining discovery.
It took two years for Rose to get a hearing due to efforts by Jon and his attorney to delay it as long as possible… Finally, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rose was able to have her day in court. The court instituted extra precautions so that the court staff, parties, and witnesses could safely participate in the hearing—the majority of witnesses appeared by phone; witnesses testifying in person did so via video from a separate courtroom; and Jon appeared by phone from prison.
At the conclusion of the two-day hearing, the judge awarded Rose sole custody of Emma, with no parenting time for Jon and no visitation for Emma’s grandfather. Rose was also granted a permanent stalking protective order against Jon. With the help of legal aid, Rose, AJ, and Emma are now safe, healthy, and thriving in their new community.