Asked in Criminal Law and Family Law for Washington

Q: What can i do? my 17yr old lives with 18yr boy friend but he is hitting her.

My daughter 17 lives w her boy friend 18 and his parents. They been together 2 yrs now they have a 9 month old baby. We found out he is hitting her. But she denys it. There is witnesses to this behavior. As a mother what can i do? She turns 18 in December so i need help fast. She has been suicidal before. And today she still talks about it. She is depressed. And i have heard the mental abuse first hand. And I've intervened during those times. And I've tried to get her to leave him. I've done everything except drag her away. Plz help me i don't want nothing to happen to my baby and there son deserves a better life than what his father is showing him. And my daughter is a extremely good mother. I just feeling helpless at this point.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Tacoma, WA
  • Licensed in Washington

A: The law allows a parent to seek a protection order on behalf of a minor child. So you can go to the local courthouse and ask for a protection order that would prohibit him from contacting her, but that would only be valid until she is 18.

You can of course report what is happening to local law enforcement and/or CPS and ask that an investigation be conducted.

If you call the county district court clerk, they can direct you to how to file for a protection order if that is the way you decide to go.

I don't know that any of these are the best long term solution to your situation, but they are available legal remedies.

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