[coogigirl1]

I am a full time student attnding college in up state NY. My one 22 month old son lives on campus with me.
I broke up with my son's father about one year ago. Since that time it has been very diificult to get money from him. Despite everything I never took him to court because I wanted to avoid a big mess. About two weeks ago I went to his hous in New York City to pick up my son and I was physically assulted by him. He throuhg me down a flight of steps and choked me. In the process of all this he hit my son. Now my son wakes up at night screaming. I called the police and when they came he told them that I tripped and fell. They didnt allow me to press charges because I didnt "have any injuries". To make a long story short I recieved a call from my sons father two days ago asking for my address to send money for my son. Instead of sending money he sent a petition for paternity and custody. He knows that I am graduating in three weeks and that I cant make the court dates because I cannot miss any classes. He is doing all of this to spite me. I want to wash my hands clean from this man. I dont want to establish custody because I dont want him in my sons life. Is there any way I can go about doing this?

[aaron]

Contact a lawyer - unless you're employed, try legal aid. Tell them about the domestic violence incident but also how the police responded to your complaint. You should be able to get the initial court hearings adjourned until classes end.