I have a son that is 4 years old. I currently opend a case to seek full coustody for the following reasons: His mother when he first was born gave him to me... she moved for a couple of months, came back and decided to take him. She was homeless livinig from motel to motel. My mother even let her stay at her house because she no car and job. She eventually moved out because my mother ask her to get a job. She moved to some girls house and got kicked out. She then gave me my son again I enrolled him and school and had him for a while. She took my son again and got on the COUNTY (welfare). I got concern because when she found out I was getting married she did not let me see him for 6 months. I filled and we have 50/50 coustody. We have been to mediation over and over and over because she wants me to do it ALL and I work grave yard so its difficult to attend to ALL her needs and be on call 24/7 for her. She requested in mediation that my fiancée don't answer the house phone and go with me to pick him up. She is violation her rights! Well, she is still no working and her financial situation is not good and living condition is not great. We just moved to a bigger home so he could gave his own room. She still on the county knowing I pay for his medical insurance. She calls and harasses all day!
I have court this week please help. My son deserves a better life inviroment.

You might ask the court order a custody evaluation. If you are in California I can give you more specifics.

Being poor and on welfare does not mean they will not get some custody. And her past ( if she claims she is settled) what makes a difference is how she cares for the child.

The leaving the child is another issue, one you should have addressed legally when it happened, now you have to prove it happened.

I have seen drug using hookers ( proven in court) keep custody over business men with great homes, the men were only ordered to pay more money.

So you need to start with the best attorney you can afford