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Originally Posted by ScottGem

As cj said. Either you report her and have the children put into the foster care system or you try to get custody. for the latter you will need an attorney.

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I don't know what I'm looking for?--maybe the well being of my children! I have spoke w/ physicans and the outlining area of this behavior is being manic. I don't need to make excuses, and I know leaving children home alone is not a real thought decision, but it was done and are other things that have been 180 degrees from the person I know. Drugs selfishness, sex, looks, among other symptoms that are explaining the behavior. This was not at all the person two days before she walked out. That's where I am at!!

We're just trying to help you so please don't get upset. We don't know anything but what you post. When you ask half a question its hard to figure out what you really want. Some people post to get help; others post to hear that they are doing the right thing; and still others just want to hear one thing and get upset when the reply's aren't it.

You started by asking two questions... is there a specific time frame that a parent can be outside the home with little/no contact with the kids before the courts would give you custody? No there is no cut off date. The courts are always going to say the other parent can see the kids if they want, unless they are harming the kids, then it would be supervised visitation but still visitation.

The other was... what are the facts about abandonment of a parent? As I, and others, have said its different in each state, I'm not from FL so I can't tell you. I suggested that you go to an attorney to talk to them about the law in your state. You said that was a last thing you wanted to do. As I see that at as a first thing to do if only to get all the facts and outline my options, we are at an impasse. We differ on how to do things and what's important and I don't believe that I can help you anymore.

I'm sorry that I wasn't able to tell you want you wanted to hear I just don't believe that you are going about this the right way. And I'm sorry that I couldn't provide you with the options that would help you see an new way of thinking about the problem.

I wish you the best of luck.