A father of three, fighting to prevent his three children from moving to Florida with their mother, has taken unique actions to gain the court's approval of his wishes. According to The Northwestern, the father, T.S.F., has placed signs near the courthouse and produced a YouTube video all in an effort to get the general public of Oshkosh to support his cause.
Allegedly the signs made by T.S.F., 42, ask the judge to let him keep his kids in Wisconsin, and ask residents to watch his YouTube to help understand his situation. The signs are hung on Jackson Street, on a path that ends at the Winnebago County courthouse.
The YouTube, almost 19 minutes in length, has allegedly received over 1,000 hits in its first week.
T.S.F. had three children during the course of his marriage that began in 1991. Divorce proceedings began as early as 1995 and became final in 2008. The children are currently aged 13, 16 and 20. T.S.F. has his children one day during the week and every other weekend.
If his children move to Florida his custody will change to summer visits. According to T.S.F. the younger children, still in school, may only have a seven-week summer vacation.
T.S.F. said that he predicts that Judge Karen Seivert will rule in his former wife's favor on a custody arrangement from Family Court Services. He believes that his ex-wife has been unjust in influencing the staff that makes the recommendation to the judge. He also contends that Judge Seivert will approve whatever the staff suggests.
T.S.F. said, "I am trying to stop this. I don't want to lose them. I'm not a bad dad. I don't beat my kids."
The reference, "beat my kids", is most likely due to a 2008 criminal complaint regarding a physical altercation between T.S.F. and his teenaged daughter. The complaint said that T.S.F. struck, punched and pulled his daughter's hair while the two were in his van. T.S.F. had stated that the incident stemmed from his daughter wanting to date a boy that he felt was too old for her. He claims that he was only disciplining her while trying to prevent her from seeing the boy.
A felony charge of child abuse was dismissed and he was convicted on a charge of disorderly conduct.
In the YouTube, T.S.F. discussed the court proceedings – he perceives them as being unjust and bordering on the criminal. Also, due to being allegedly penniless, he has acted as his own attorney. His opinion has not been asked for, nor, he claims, has he been provided with information in regards to changes in his case.
Of final note in the YouTube, is T.S.F.'s plea to the general public. He has asked for their help in protesting his battle, signing petitions in his favor and picketing.
The director of Family Court Services in Winnebago County, Gail Pierson, watched part of the video. Pierson refused to comment other than to say, "This is a private family matter and it needs to stay that way as much as it can."
Instead of trying to fight your custody battle alone, contact a family law attorney to represent you. Maintaining your parental rights is of utmost importance to you, and, your attorney.