When a woman unknowingly handed her toddler over to her husband in Dubai, she returned home only to discover that all of her things had been removed, and was told in a note that he was divorcing her and keeping their daughter, as reported by the Tennessean.
Last August, S.P., and her daughter, C.G.P., had left heir home in Clarksville to live with her husband C.P., a former major in the U.S. Army's Special Forces, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
C.P. was on a two-year contract in training for UAE special forces.
On March 27, when S.P. returned from work, she discovered "all my stuff was out of the house. I tried to call (C.P.) but he wasn't answering his phone. He left a letter saying he was filing for a divorce and he was taking (C.G.P.), and nothing but a court order would get her back."
S.P. then discovered that her cellular phone had been cut off and her bank accounts had been emptied. Penniless, and pregnant again, she broke back into her own home to try and use the phone inside to contact her husband or his boss. She was unable to reach either one.
The U.S. Embassy was able to grant S.P. an emergency passport.
S.P.'s sister flew to Clarksville to assist S.P. in the international legal battle to regain custody of C.G.P.
Things went from bad two worse two days after S.P. left Dubai: C.P. filed criminal charges against her for alleged prostitution, neglect and adultery. According to S.P.'s attorney, Lee Berry IV, under UAE law and Islamic Shari'a principles, S.P. would be facing a death penalty if convicted.
On her part, S.P. has alleged that her former high school sweetheart and husband, C.P., had been guilty of subjecting her to mental and physical abuse. C.P.'s attorney, Joshua Lindsey, claims that there is no proof of abuse – specifically in the form of a police report or any other type of documentation.
S.P. stated, "It was really bad before we left (Clarksville). I thought it was his job and stresses of the Army making him that way. He had so much control. The abuse got to the point where it was safer to be nice than to come home every night to almost being killed ... The night before this happened…I believed it would work out. I came home to all my stuff in the garage and he'd taken (C.G.P.)…I couldn't go file for custody in UAE or I would have to stay forever."
S.P. also claimed that her daughter is in danger under her father's care. She said, "Her life is at risk. I am concerned about her safety. He almost killed me and I'm scared he will keep her from me forever by taking her from me…I only want (C.G.P.) to be safe with me and our family back in America where she belongs."
Fighting for your parental rights? Contact a family law attorney to help you with any child custody, visitation or child support issues.