Cannot Contact My Girls...

[Swany]

What is the name of your state? Ca and TX

My children are visiting their father in Texas. They left Sat. Without going into the whole ordeal, he's $12,000 behind in support and has been going through bankruptcy procedures for a year. His bankruptcy just was "dismissed" due to various reasons. He has been consistantly unavailable to his girls for years. We don't know up until the last week or so if they'll get to see him for his (3 times a year) visitation. This time, obvioulsy, they got to go, relunctantly I might add...(they are 8 and 11). In past visits, they call me often and we talk for long periods of time. My ex only has a cell # as he's never had a phone at his home (my guess is due to non-payment)....So it's been 6 days since the girls left. His cell phone is now disconnected, obviously, due his non-payment of that. I'm also in the process of filing for the Contempt of his non-payment of support, and he will be served at his current address I have (which he says he's turning his house in...) as soon as the girls return home. He is always in a constant state of crisis...and I'm concerned about my children especially at this point.

My question is this.....What do I do about NOT being able to contact my children? We do not have anything in our agreement that states he's supposed to give me contact #'s....I thought this must just be an "obvious" thing. Do I call the police? Do I contact CPS in Texas? I've emailed him, which is the only form of communication I have with him, asking for a contact # and to speak with my girls. They are due to return on January 1st....

Thank you for your time...

 

[snodderly]

I only have a suggestion for you, something I did once in the same situation. I called the police of the city my ex lived in and explained to him that I had not been able to get in touch with my children for days. I told them this was unusual and that I was concerned for their well-being. They sent an officer to my ex husband's to check. They then called me back to report that the children were fine and had been given a message to call me. Turns out my ex had turned unplugged his phone and had told the children it was disconnected.

I understand you being concerned. Try the police, also, if you could contact family members of his they might have info on the children and how to reach them. More than likely their father is just being a pain in the butt. One never knows though and it's better to be safe than sorry. Good luck!

 

[Phnx02]

Asking the police to do "a check" on the kids/house is a good idea.......my cousin was in a similiar situation and the sheriff did this for him - no problem.

 

[VeronicaGia]

And when he cannot reach you for six days, expect the police to show up to your house too. I'm not saying what you're considering doing is wrong. I'm just saying that you may be opening a can of worms.