Children rely solely on their parents to protect them and keep them out of harm's way, but not every person is meant to be a parent. When a parent threatens to hurt their children or actively puts their children in danger, action needs to be taken immediately to prevent further harm.
How to Protect Children From a Dangerous Parent
If you are concerned that your children’s best interests are not being upheld when they visit their other parent, you can bring it to The Woodlands family law court.
The following put a child in danger, and should be brought to the court’s attention immediately:
Abuse
Threats of violence
Any form of domestic abuse
Anytime there is a threat of danger to your children, the court will treat the issue seriously and with a legitimate concern. By doing this, a formal investigation will be opened to determine if the claims are true before the court will make a final determination regarding child custody and visitation.
Providing Proof
Although in many cases, these claims are true, there are certain times when one parent is making them up in order to obtain full custody of their children. Due to this, the court will thoroughly investigate the alleged claims to ensure the children are truly in danger. For additional assistance in the investigation, family protective services might step in.
Evidence that can support your claims include:
Text messages
Voice mails
Social media posts
Witness accounts
During this process, the court and/or family protective services might contact family members, neighbors, teachers, and other relevant sources for witness statements.
Filing for a Protective Order
In addition to modifying custody and visitation plans, parents that are concerned by threats of harm to themselves or their children should consider requesting a protective order for further security. Typically, a temporary protective order, also known as a restraining order, will be issued, with a final order being obtained later on after a formal hearing.
Unfortunately, protective orders do not always stop a parent from trying to come near their children. However, if they continue to try regardless, the parent with the protective order should immediately call 9-1-1, to ensure no harm occurs. This also provides proof of the order being violated, which can result in serious penalties like serving time in jail.
Parchman Law Group Will Protect Your Family
If you are concerned about the safety of your children when they are around their other parent, contact the child custody attorneys at Parchman Law Group P.L.L.C. immediately. Our attorneys serve families in The Woodlands and areas surrounding Houston. We know that your children’s safety is the number one priority, and we will do everything in our power to protect their best interests.
Call our team today at (713) 364-0777 to discuss your case with The Woodlands family law attorneys at Parchman Law Group P.L.L.C..