Drug Dealer

[needhelp9]

Hello. My best friends boyfriend left her and their son when the baby was 4 weeks old. He is a drug dealer, doesn't look like one and keeps things low key, but a drug dealer nonetheless. Will he be able to get visitation being a drug dealer, and if the drug dealing is brought up in court, will he go to jail? He isn't interested in being in the baby's life. He says he does, but his actions prove otherwise. He has seen the baby 4 times since April. He doesn't want to come across like the deadbeat he is. He figures as long as he says he loves his son, that that's good enough. He has mental issues, has stopped taking his medication on 3 different occasions, the most recent being when he left his ex-girlfriend and son (9 weeks ago). He is suicidal as well, and has violent anger issues. Is it possible for him to not get visitation at all or if he does get visitation, could it be supervised? If in a couple years if he says hes taking his meds, is not suicidal, gotten his anger under control, and not selling drugs anymore, how easy will it be for him to change his visitation to see his son more? The baby is now 13 weeks old. My friend also has proof that he is suicidal, has anger isssues, is a drug dealer, and inconsistent with taking his meds. They have it all documented with his therapist. Thanks so much. Any info would help.

 

[Duranie]

She has the burden of proving all of this. If the guy is not interested in the baby, what does your friend want? Dad will have no rights until paternity has been established. If he is proven the father, he likely will have some visitation rights. Your friend can argue for supervised visits but it is unlikely she is going to totally eliminate Dad from the child's life, unless he chooses not to be involved. If your friend wants child support or files for gov't assistance, she will be required to establish paternity.

Since the baby is so young, probably will not be hard to get supervised.

By the way, your friend should be a little more selective on who she has babies with next time. This is her child and its her duty to protect him.