Q: i have a friend who is not married and has a kid with her boyfriend. she wants to leave but he threatens to take baby
He threatens to call the cops and say she’s unfit to make sure she can’t leave. he makes her feel it’s an impossible situation to get out of. he doesn’t abuse her. she just doesn’t want to be with him anymore. What can she do. Will she be able to leave ? Does he have any parental rights if he is on the birth certificate but no paternity test has been done ?
A:
First things first: yes, she can leave. While he may be the legal father, the mother has initial custody.
She should prepare to leave when it is safe to do so (e.g., has some place to go).
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