assault druggy dad

[ana]

I am a recent single mom, NY.The father is abusive/no record of this regarding me. He has done two years for assaulting a cop. He has assault charges pending for over a year for hitting a girl in a bar.He is a drug addict/coke, marijuana/nothing on his record. He was sexually abused. I'm fearful he will abuse my son.He has made reference to this. What can I do to prevent visitation...at least EVER having my son alone with him?How can I get hold of his past record?He is determined to get visitation with his fathers help/attorney..which I can't afford. What should I do first? I am in the process of establishing paternity as I need child support...what else can I do to protect my son?

[Gbyte]

Never letting him see your child is SURELY not something you should really stick to. Both parents mean a LOT to a child...even if one has serious issues.

You should show flexibility/willingness to try things NOW and sign up at a local organization that provides supervised visits.

It is important to let your child know his father. Maybe someday he'll get his act together and be able to be more of a father. Maybe seeing his child in a safe environment will HELP him to get his act together.

There are legal services for mothers with low income if that is your case. You will definately want to persue that and have a drug test performed.

[Gbyte]

And - public records are available at your local police station.

[tbyte]

Good advice, but I think she would need to get the records from the courthouse, not the police station.

[Gbyte]

Could be...but in my city, it's the right next door to the police station in the "municipal" building at a door marked "records".