I sat very still. Dana had told me not to react. So I did not.
When Barbara testified, she said I threatened her. “He told me I had three hours to run my mouth,” she said, voice shaking. “I was afraid.”
Dana stood. “Context, Your Honor. Mrs. Hutchkins said this after calling Mr. Wyatt’s eight-year-old daughter a disappointment.”
Judge Patricia Moreno looked over her glasses. “Mrs. Hutchkins, did you say that?”
Barbara’s face tightened. “It was taken out of context.”
“What context makes that acceptable?”
Barbara had no answer that helped her.
Then came the money. Barbara’s attorney tried to suggest she had been helping me. Dana slid the bank statements across the table. Three years. Highlighted. Car payments. Insurance. Medical bills. Transfers.
Judge Moreno reviewed them in silence. “Mrs. Hutchkins,” she said finally, “these records show Mr. Wyatt has been supporting you.”
Barbara swallowed. “He wanted to help.”
“And yet you are claiming you are financially better equipped to care for the child than the man paying your bills.”
Silence. That was the first crack. The judge denied emergency custody. Ellie stayed with me. But she ordered a full hearing three weeks later because the allegations were serious enough to review.
I should have felt relief. I did, for about thirty seconds. Then Barbara filed a complaint with Child Protective Services (CPS). She claimed I left Ellie alone. Claimed I yelled constantly. Claimed Ellie was afraid of me.
Dana called me immediately. “Do not panic. They are required to investigate. Be honest. Let them see your home. Let them speak to Ellie.”