Should a Registered Sex Offender Get Visitation with His Biological Child

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Florida

I was (am currently going through divorce proceedings) married to this man for 4 years, coexisting with my 3 daughters from a previous marriage and subsequently we had my son. When my son was 1 years old, his step sister revealed that my husband had sexually assaulted her after a period of "grooming" and offering her (with persistence) and engaging with her in alcohol and drugs. He also had inappropriate sexual behavior including the drugs and alcohol with her best friend. I immediately kicked him out, pressed charges and ultimately he pled guilty and was sentenced and served 2 1/2 years in prison for both girls. (I also filed for an injunction and was awarded a permanent restraining order for all of us. It was deemed permanent until reevaluated by family law when divorce is decided) He is now out on 5 years of sex offender probation and is a registered sex offender in our state. (incidentally, my middle daughter also revealed to her counselor he was inappropriate with her so he was reported again after his release but the charges were dropped because of lack of evidence and his attorney rebutted with "he said/she said" and that the family is just making the story up to help in our divorce and request for no contact with my son.) I filed for a divorce and his attorney has countered with a motion for immediate supervised visitation with our now 4 1/2 year old son, who has no recollection of his father.

My son has some behavioral issues and has improved in the past year and I am afraid that if he is forced to see his father, it could cause him to fall backwards. I have also met a wonderful man and have been with him for a year and a half and my son looks up to him like a father figure, but that will most likely be used against me. He apparently has had psycho evaluations by a doctor and has been deemed at "low risk" by him. The attorney fees are already more than I can bear and we have not even gone to mediation or trial. My question is how can I stand by and let this man put himself in my sons life without a fight, knowing in my heart that it is NOT in the best interest of my child or the rest of this family. Incidentally, although I have been told it bears no weight in this matter to the courts, my daughter has been seeing a psychologist and psychiatrist and is on anti depressants as a result of this whole ordeal and this will most definitely destroy her even more as she is very protective of her brother, let alone drudge up any feelings and PTSD from the incidents in the past. My other two daughters are in need of counseling as well. I understand that by law the sex offender has rights, but why should he? What about my children's? I appreciate ANY feedback whether it is favorable or not. Thank you for your time.

If your husband has no history of inappropriate conduct toward boys, and no history of abuse or neglect of your son, then it is very possible that a court will allow supervised visitation. The court may later allow even greater access.

If you want to prevent access, you will be well-served to work with a good lawyer.

Why aren't your other two daughters receiving counseling ?