Step Into The Story

Every family court case has many sides. Explore Riley’s case from every perspective — the child, his mom, his dad, and his CASA — to understand the story in full.

Riley’s Story

Riley says, ‘They yelled at each other a lot. I’d go to bed and hear them fighting. It was scary sometimes.”

He knew his Mom had been back and forth to the courthouse a lot. And that she was worried. Sometimes his grandma complained about all the work she was missing to babysit Riley. And when he saw his Dad, Riley could tell he seemed really angry with his mom.

For Riley, this wasn’t about “plans.” It was about when he would see his dad, and when his mom would stop crying so much.

For a long time, nothing seemed to happen.

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Mom’s Story

I’ve spent hours at the courthouse trying to figure out parenting plans and legal forms that might give Riley some stability and officially protect him.

The process is confusing, and every mistake seems to delay things even more. It was over a year with no progress.

I was ready to give up at the last hearing – our trial was delayed yet again. Then the commissioner appointed Riley’s CASA. I had no idea what that meant. Till I met Lauren, and she explained her role.

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Dad’s Story

When the Court appointed Lauren as our CASA, I was pretty hostile at first. Just another person judging me. But she was really only interested in Riley. Everything she asked me went straight back to that.

I ended up telling her about the day I had Riley in my truck when I was really loaded. I told her how sorry I was that I scared him. And how it made me ashamed to go see him again. And how much I miss him. She really got me thinking. I’m still upset about it all – but I get why they don’t want me to be alone with Riley. I’m so ashamed.

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Lauren’s Story

I met with Liz and Lucas separately, listening to their stories and their fears. Liz was exhausted but determined to protect Riley. Lucas was angry and heartbroken, trying to be a good father while battling his own frustrations and substance addiction issues. I also talked to Liz’s mom, who had strong opinions about what her daughter should do, and with Lucas’s dad, who struggled to understand how his own behavior shaped Lucas’s choices. Each conversation revealed more.

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