Police Wouldn't Charge a Stepparent With Assaulting an Adult Child

[hackett4]

In florida. About 8 hours away from where he moved To with his parents.

[Mr. Knowitall]

I don't know what your mother's lawyer was thinking. If she has agreed to jurisdiction in Florida, taking off to Alaska with the child would be apt to trigger a motion in the Florida court asking that the mother be compelled to return the child to the state, that temporary physical custody be granted to the father, and that measures be taken (e.g., supervision) to prevent mom from again absconding with the child -- with a good chance that the court would grant all of that relief.

[hackett4]

I honestly don't know. I know they had a court date after all this happened and the judge was upset with both of them for removing her from the county where they filed. That's all I know about it.

I just wanted to know if I could do anything about my stepfather putting his hands on me once again.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Given that it only happened once, when you were involved in a scheme to remove his child out of his custody -- and even then only after you made an inflammatory comment that you don't recall, then refused to leave the property when he instructed you to do so -- I would suggest that if you don't repeat that sort of behavior it's unlikely that there's going to be another incident.

Meanwhile, I suggest trying to contact the lieutenant for a review of the video from your phone, and also to ask about their returning your phone.

[aardvarc]

And you've been given the answer: the sheriff's office HAS an office that takes complaints on the behavior of their deputies. If you'd like to make such a complaint, that's who you make it to. If their investigation of the incidents concludes that either an internal policy was violated or a criminal law was broken, they'll act accordingly - which could result in anything from a finding of "no foul", to internal discipline to termination and criminal charges. And next time, spend less time taking MOVIES with your phone and more time USING your phone. If you're being assaulted (in Florida it's actually classified as a battery if he put his hands on you), then ACT like you're being battered and call authorities. Prosecutors don't tend to find a lot of credibility in victims who were too busy taking movies to report a criminal action, and especially in cases like this where the air is THICK with the scent of "set up".

[hackett4]

My husband was on the phone with the sheriff's office within the first 3 minutes of us arriving at the house. I recorded it to have proof of what my mother did and what he did. My husband was the one who called and had them come to the scene.

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This hasn't happened only once. That's the major issue. He has done this 3 other times that I can remember off the top of my head. I actually moved out because of him putting his hands on me. I never called to report it before because he worked for the county we lived in. He told me I could call but they would never believe my word over his. So, when I knew we were going there, I recorded it all to have proof. He has done this to my 2 other siblings who are also not his children.

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I don't understand how it is trespassing when his mother stood right there and told him it was fine that I was on HER property. She stood there and said it was fine and that she was glad that I was recording it. He said tons of inflammatory comments to me and my mother as well.. But I had enough restraint to stand 10 feet away and not touch him. So how does he have the right to put his hands on me? Again, not his property and the owner of the property gave me permission to stay even after he told me to leave.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Tell it to the lieutenant.