My child's father up and walked out with no explanation at all a little over four years ago. He started calling her once every couple of weeks and then at least once a week. Then the calls started getting less and less. She didn't want to speak to him most of the time,although I tried to get her to talk to him. I eventually had to change my phone number due to his new girlfriend constantly calling and texting me with ignorant things. He couldn't or wouldn't keep her out of my phone. My daughter knows his number but refuses to call him.He has done nothing at all for my daughter since he left. Is that considered abandonment on his part? And what legal routes can I take to protect my child from being hurt anymore than she has already been? She is only 9 years old,she was 5 and getting ready to start school when he left.

1. Where is this at, we are international, and laws vary by location greatly. Rules in France is not the same as Spain. If in the US, what state, it differes also.

2. Have you?

Filed for custody ? If not, he still has joint custody with you and you need to go to court and get legal custody.

Filed for child support, He really does not owe support till you file for it?

You may use abandonment as a reason to ask for custody.

Please read this sticky: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/family-law/child-abandonment-read-first-364259.html

What is it you actually want? You will not get his rights terminated. But you can get child support. You may be able to restrict his ability to see the child.

As for protecting your child from hurt, there is little from a legal standpoint you can do. But from a parenting standpoint you bolster her self confidence by telling her what a great daughter and person she is and that her father is being foolish for not being a part of her life.