Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

my sister falsely accused me of shild abuse/neglect

There is a lot to this and I don't have the time, nor do you to read it all, so I will try and tell you the shortest, yet most informative way I can. In 1986, I was in a bad marriage. My husband at the time was a loser bastard, (excuse my language), and I spent most of my days and nights trying to figure out how to get out of it. I had two small children at the time, and he wasn't good to them. He spanked them and made them stay in their room. I finally got the nerve to get out, but the only way I could find was to go in the service. I called my sister and asked her if she culd keep them while I finished the required college credits I needed to have to enter the army since I had just a ged and while I went through basic training and ait. She said yes, that she would. She came and picked up my children and I finished my schooling and went into the army. I was getting ready to graduate, and I called and told my sister when I would be coming to get them and she told me no, I couldn't have them back. I lived without them for 12 years, when she finally called me when she was getting divorced and said I could have them back. Now they want to know the truth. How can I prove my innocence?


Asked on 10/20/04, 11:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ryan West Law Office of Ryan J. West

Re: my sister falsely accused me of shild abuse/neglect

Please pardon me if my response sounds harsh; perhaps I don't understand the question or the facts.

What is it you would like to prove yourself "innocent" of? Of not "wanting" your children? I think the court's view on the matter (not that this is necessarily a legal issue) is that you had the opportunity (and perhaps the obligation) to go get them the minute your sister said you couldn't. They are your children, not hers. You could have availed yourself of the protection and help of the court system at that time. If she accused you of something that was not true, you could have had the issue decided in court. If you were found to have committed abuse/neglect by a court, and it isn't true, then you just have to be truthful with your children and try to work towards reconciliation. I'm not a therapist, however, so you should seek a professional opinion about how to go about doing that.

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Answered on 10/21/04, 4:22 pm


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