Mrs. Lindstrom stepped forward. “Ms. Maribel, I’m from Child Protective Services. Custody proceedings have begun.”
Maribel’s face drained of color. “What custody proceedings?”
“Your ex-husband filed for emergency custody based on child abandonment. The court temporarily placed your daughter with her aunt.”
“This is ridiculous!” Maribel screamed. “Raylene, how could you betray me?”
“You abandoned your 5-year-old at an airport,” I said. “You left her alone for 30 minutes.”
“I knew you would take care of her.”
“You left her with a note,” I snapped. “She was terrified.”
Colton pulled out his phone. “Maribel, we have footage and videos of you drunk driving with our daughter and records of you using child support on yourself.”
“You’ve been spying on me?”
“I’ve been documenting your neglect,” Colton said.
Maribel exploded. She threw her purse at Colton and lunged at me. Mrs. Lindstrom called for backup.
“This behavior concerns us,” she said sharply. “A parent who cannot regulate emotions cannot provide a safe environment.”
Officials arrived and escorted Maribel out as she screamed. My niece hid behind me.
Afterward, my parents called nonstop.
“You betrayed the family,” my mother yelled. “Drop the lawsuit.”
“Mom,” I said calmly, “she abandoned a child.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“For 30 minutes, she was alone.”
But they refused to see reason.
The custody hearing was scheduled the next week.
The custody hearing was almost anticlimactic. Maribel couldn’t control her temper. Every time Colton’s lawyer presented evidence, she interrupted with shouts and insults.
