Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction with this one.

My girlfriend has a 2 year old child and is fleeing a previous abusive relationship. I first met her through some friends while she was still in a relationship with her ex.

In the time while she was living with him, on multiple occasions watched him intake illegal drugs (cocaine) and was in fear of her life if she stayed with him.

The relationship was abusive both physically and verbally, and while the police were called - when they came one of the officers gave her his private cell phone number soliciting a date and the female officer advised them both to pursue counseling thus shaking her confidence in the ability of law enforcement to assist her.

Shortly thereafter was an arguement that resulted in the ex boyfriend striking her in the face and giving her a black eye. At that point, she was kicked out, him telling her that he was going to throw all of her belongings in the trash and that she was no longer welcome. Telling her via text message he was "going to find some hooker to be Joey's new mother" (Joey being the 2 year old son).

I tried to convince her to go to the police and file a report against him however she worried that while she didn't have a stable home for the child that if his parental rights might be revoked she would lose her child to state child services.

Over the last 2 months she has continued to attempt making peace with the ex boyfriend but he continues to harass her. Calling and texting her making derogatory and insulting statements, threatening to kill me, refusing to come to a custody arrangement while keeping the son at his house and now threatening to leave the state with her child.

When I first met them as a couple, I knew a guy that smoked pot and the ex boyfriend asked me through Coral to find him something. So on a few occasions I managed to get some for him through someone else. Because of this, he continues to argue that both I and my girlfriend are junkies and claims to have reported me to local police and anonymous tip lines for dealing illegal drugs. I however am not a drug dealer or have any affiliations to it aside from helping him out.

This has literally become a daily harassment issue. And because he has family in law enforcement he feels he can make whatever threats he wants - many of them recorded in text message form.

At this point, for her own mental health and the safety of the son she needs to find an attorney that can at least advise her on what she needs to do to prevent this from continuing.

Thank you.


Asked on 7/02/11, 2:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Latangie Williams Law Office of Latangie Williams, P.A.

She needs to petition for an injunction and needs to petition the courts for child support and/or a visitation schedule. If she fears he is about to leave the state with the child, she needs to file an emergency injunction preventing him from doing so. There are several options available to her. For a consultation, call my office at 904-576-2581 or email me at [email protected].

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Answered on 7/02/11, 5:36 pm


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