| Act fast dad.........
I suggest that you go to the same judge that granted you primary custody and BEG him or her for a temporary order stating that the child may not be moved across state lines until something more permanent can be arranged.
Can you afford to take care of this baby on your income? I know that a lot of people on social security don't get a lot of money. Do you have adequate housing? You do not have to prove that your ex is using drugs but you should definately mention this to the judge and ask if the mother can be made to submit to a drug screen. As far as the grandmother goes, if she has nothing in writing, then you could do well just to ignore her threats about emotional abuse as a child who is not yet two really is not old enough to understand the dynamics of how often you visit or why you had to miss spending time with her. However, any and all proof that you can offer a judge as far as why you were away, how much income you have and why you feel your daughter would be better off not to go to Florida and live in a two parent home. Please forgive the tone of that last sentence but this is what you will have to stand up against. Offer a drug screen yourself, this may encourage the judge to ask for a test from your ex before she is allowed to go to Florida. Anything you can do to get her to stay, do it because a battle across state lines takes longer and is more costly than local. If you cant afford a lawyer, you are going to have one hell of a hard time gaining any ground at all unless you can prove abuse or neglect on your exes part. The judge will tend to overlook past mistakes if your ex can make the impression that she is striving to do something with her life and the description that you gave led me to believe that she is making changes for the better+. I would strongly suggest calling all of the attorneys in your area and begging for some sort of payment arrangements.
Now here comes the hard part,
It is my opinion that your chances of getting custody of this child won't be real good with a lawyer and will be nil without one. Here is what the judge will look at first, most people think that a child is better off with the mother and even better off in a two parent home even if one of the parents is a "step". The judge will also look at the fact that the mother is making an effort to make a better home for the child. Lastly the judge will look at you and see a man who looks much to young to be on social security and will make you tell her what type of disability you have and will try to find some reason why you cant take care of a child alone. The judge will also take into consideration the amount of your income and how you are going to make ends meet when you have to pay child support to two children. Can your children and their caretakers collect money based on your earnings? If so this is great. The judge will probably also get personal and point out the fact that you have two kids that are less than two years old by two different mothers, neither of whom you have married. The judge will no doubt find this to be proof that you are not very responsible. Tred very cautiously when persuing this dear sir because you are indeed in for a fight. Mind you, I have not judged you at all, and I hope that I have helped, but I do know that I would not have done you any favors if I would have let you go into this thinking that you were going to have anything but a hard time. Maybe the two of you can reach an agreement that will suit everyone. I cant see a judge denying you visitation simply because you are clearly concerned and that you desire to maintain a relationship with your young child. There are far too many dads who just do not care about their kids for a judge to deny you visitation rights.
Best of luck,
Amy | 
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