New Jersey judges often preside over family law situations involving parents who have children together but are not married. Some cases are more complicated than others, as made evident by an ongoing situation in another state. The judge in this particular case recently handed down a child custody ruling that named the father of the children in question a danger to their safety.
There are three children currently living as wards of the state. Their biological father is not married to their mother, and he is currently in jail on several counts of child abuse as well as resisting arrest. Sadly, the children’s mother has been missing for more than four months, although no charges have been filed regarding her disappearance. Authorities say blood and a bullet casing were found in her home at the time she was reported missing.
The father is fighting for custody of his children; however, the judge in charge of the case recently ruled that he is a danger to his children and that it is in their best interests to remain wards of the state at this time. This ruling came after a mental health counselor testified that the children have experienced severe anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks of traumatic experiences. One of the children recalled hearing her parents arguing the night of her mother’s disappearance.
Any New Jersey parent facing high stress child custody problems may want to seek guidance from an experienced family law attorney. When a situation involves allegations of abuse or there are criminal charges that impact the lives of the children involved, it can be helpful to consult with someone well-versed in family law before heading to court. This is typically the best means for protecting parental rights and children’s best interests.