Tampa area mother was charged with neglect of her son and the state took custody of the child
A custody dispute will always bring up issues relevant to a person’s ability to be a good parent and raise their child in a safe environment. Parents who have a history of problems may not be able to maintain primary custody.
A woman in Pinellas County, Florida was facing the consequences of neglecting her 8 year old son.
Mother is arrested for mistreating and neglecting her child
The 39 year old woman from Tarpon Springs lives a transient lifestyle, and authorities learned that her son had no access to basic necessities like food, healthcare, and education. They also believe she has a serious drug problem, which caused her to sell her car to purchase a large amount of narcotics. She had been living in a series of motel rooms in the weeks before she was prosecuted. Pinellas County Police also learned that the 8 year old has special needs. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and needs to be fed through a tube.
The suspect was eventually arrested for not feeding her child. The specific charges included neglect of a child with great bodily harm. When police found the child, he was underweight, wearing used diapers, and had a dirty appearance. He was taken to the emergency room, and medical staff found other signs of neglect that can lead to health problems.
The woman was held on a $50,000 bond in county jail, but she posted the money to bond out shortly after her arrest. Authorities did not comment where the child was after the arrest, but they are usually placed in protective services, with the state receiving custody as a standard procedure.
Issues related to child custody
Child custody can become an extremely stressful issue for parents once they begin the process of a divorce, or the state gets involved due to a history of serious problems like abuse and neglect. It is imperative to get legal representation during this time, otherwise the risk of losing custody of a child increases. The lawyer will help you prepare for a custody hearing by going over your past and attempting to portray you as a good parent despite any flaws or past mistakes.
Child support payments
When a parent no longer has primary custody of their child, they will usually have to make support payments. In Florida, these are based on a percentage of the non-custodial parent’s income. An attorney who practices in a family law firm can explain more about the formula that state courts use to determine child support payments.
Get assistance from a family law attorney in the Tampa area
There are local lawyers who help people with divorces, child custody, alimony, and related issues. To learn more, contact:
The Law Offices of Yeazell and Sweet
1901 Ulmerton Road, Suite 435, Clearwater, FL 33762
727-851-9555
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