Component: Alabama National Guard

     Rank: E-5/Sergeant

     Unit: C CO 279th Signal Battalion

 Deployed: Nov. 2003 - Dec. 2004

Stationed: Iraq

Media Coverage: 19Jan06

Custody Situation:

 

 

Prior to Deployment

 - Taylor and Cody have different fathers

 - Divorce papers granted mother custody

 - Father had standard visitation 1st and 3rd weekends and 2 weeks in the summer

 

Deployment

  - Taylor/Cody lived with Taylor's biological father during deployment

 

Post Deployment

 - Upon mother's return from Iraq, she was served papers

 - Papers showed that a court hearing was held in mothers absence

 - Temporary custody of Taylor was given to father with mother having

   standard visitation

 - When mother returned home, she was bound by temp order giving her

   limited visitation pending another hearing scheduled in March 2005

 - At March 2005 hearing, I gained more visitation time with Taylor

 - Mother currently gets Taylor 3 days a week, child support was dropped

   to $66/week, and mother can't move out of Marshall County or she looses

   all custody of Taylor

 - Mother's active duty time was used against her during trial; judge agreed

 - Judge's decision was appealed and she was denied

 - An Appellate Attorney was retained and they are taking their case to the

   Civil Court of Appeals in Montgomery, AL.