Hi, I’m Tara and I have a toddler Zay. I’m scared to tell my story in case the family I’m trying to get away from sees it then evicts me and files for emergency custody of my son (I’ve never once been away from except while at work). We’ve been stuck in the house since Dec 2024 when my car caught fire on the way home from work. Haven’t been able to get to and from work or my son childcare since! He was supposed to start Headstart in August and finally be with other kids but I’ve had no way to get him to and from!

I was financially stable and independent for 17 years and then lost everything toward the end of my pregnancy and ended up here at my sons dads where I’ve gone through DV , called the police and he went to jail shortly. Shelters are few and far between. They’re either full or loosing funding. The day we leave I have to prepare for a custody battle. After talking to 2 lawyers they said he will be granted primary custody because in Virginia a law was passed July 2021 that children no longer go to women based off traditional gender roles but they now go by a list to see who’s in the child best interest. Yes it looks like the dad because I’m not being given the chance to work and meet everything on the checklist the dad does. My son is extra needs and they’d want him here with “everything” he could need over a shelter with nothing an hour away with me while I struggle to find a way to see him once a week. The women’s advocate group and social services got me a lawyer who does these cases for a living and she told me she would take my DV case but not the custody because she doesn’t take cases she can’t win. It was hard to hear but until I can provide the same things his dad can to not get into a custody battle because the road to getting primary custody back is a long hard road. I just want to get back to work like I’ve done for 17 years and create the best life for me and my son and be able to do simple things like take him to school, church, our appointments, work, the store, and the park or library. I want to be able to take him swimming, to a zoo, the fair or if he says he wants spaghetti for dinner I’m able to have the money to buy it and transportation to go get it.

I’ve been through DV with his dad and called the police but he got out quickly. His granny raised him and retired from the same social services I deal with so she has connections! I can provide the notes from social services saying they’ve never seen such a great dad and him having a home, transportation and family support are huge strengths. They’ve lied to the police and said instead of the DV happening that I hurt myself and so many other lies. God protected me and the police and social services didn’t believe that but it’s just the extent of how far their family is willing to go to try and take my son!

I was in foster care so I don’t have any family other than my son. The dad’s family’s has lived here for generations so they have money and connections! 9 family members live a rocks throw down the driveway with 8 vehicles and no one works but wont help me get to work or anywhere because they want to make it as hard as possible for me to leave for good with my son even though they never help with him! Never watch him, buy him a toy or outfit! My car caught fire a few months ago on the way home from work, and we’ve been stuck in the house ever since December 2024!. There’s no transportation options in this area. I need to get back to work ASAP so I made a $2,000 goal to go toward getting a cheap vehicle/dmv fees. Funds are going toward trying to help get me and my son back mobile so we can get everywhere needed and getting us our own place again and getting away from here knowing I can leave and keep my son! I have 17 years of work experience, just no way to get my son to and from daycare and myself to and from work. I’m in a rural area, so nothing is within walking distance, and there are no buses. I never imagined telling my story, but here I am, hoping people will be kind. Any receipts you need or want about anything i can provide. Anything you want to know I’m an open book!