My ex-boyfriend and I had a child together than broke up while she was in diapers. The only father she's ever known has been my fiance' of more than five years. Even though my ex boyfriend is very delinquent on child support, I didn't want to punish our daughter by not allowing him visitation. He was suppose to return her TONIGHT but we just found out he took her from Florida (where we live) to Mississippi (where his family is). Please, what do I do?! We are very poor, cannot retain a lawyer, and my ex and I were never married and he does NOT have custody. I am worried to death over my daughters well being, any info would help me.

Signed,
Terrified Mother

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Originally Posted by TerrifiedMum

... I am worried to death over my daughters well being. ...

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Don't worry. In general, Mississippi is not much more scary than Florida.

Do you have cause to suspect that he might not bring her back as he promised?

Yes, he is not coming back, that's the problem. I guess I was too scared to make that part clear.

You have, basically these options:

1. Get a lawyer somehow to sue the child's father for custody and to order him to return the child to you. You would do this in the Florida courts (which have exclusive jurisdiction for six months from the time they arrived in Mississsippi).
2. Try to represent yourself (possible but not easy).
3. Go and get the child. Without a custody order in place, both parents have shared rights to custody.
4. Just hope he brings her back eventually.