Imagine finding out that your daughter has been terribly assaulted  (the worst kind of assault that can happen to a little girl) and has been put in emergency foster care... you rush to her aid and find out because the crime has happened across state lines she must stay in foster care.  It happens, children are trapped in this legal system and it is very difficult to get them out when your spouse has sole custody... even when your spouse is charged with alleged neglect.. Bringing Stephanie home will take an Indiana lawyer to get her out of Illinois foster care.  Stephanie needs her daddy and needs ongoing therapy with a professional that is experienced in  assaults on children.    We are hoping that those that read this heart wrenching story can help Levi afford a lawyer.  He and his wife are both employed at Cook Medical in Spencer Indiana.  With the travel expenses, the expenses needed to visit Stephanie by entertaining her for a full day in Illinois every week the budget is strained.  It was doable, but does not leave a surplus needed to hire legal councel.  

What happened?

The mother and stepfather moved Stephanie out of state.  They were homeless and moved in with friends.  These friends, while under the influence of various drugs beat their 3 month old child to an inch of his life.  While this poor baby was being attended to at the hospital, Stephanies stepfather visciously assaulted her.   Thankfully an investigator whom had a hunch that something else was amiss went back to the home.  There he discovered that she had been attacked by her drugged out stepfather. Stephanie was put in foster care to protect her life. The mother was charged with alleged neglect and the father was notified.

UPDATE:

I just got a telephone call from Levi. He met with a lawyer today and he left there feeling so positive! He lacks $150 for the retainer, but he did tell the lawyer that he is selling his vehicle because he will sell everything he owns for his daughter. Papers are being filed right away. Thank you God, we give you the glory! This is the first step. How much it is going to cost? That depends on how in depth it is going to be. The lawyer will let us know when he gets down to $500, we are confident that God will provide. The important thing is that custody papers will be filed, and lawyers are working behind the scene to save her.

If you haven't heard the story yet, please read here. If you feel led to donate $1 , seeing that 8000 people have read her page, it will help him. He is traveling from Bloomfield Indiana to Illinois every week to spend a whole day with her. He tries to make that visit happy for her, taking her places (as you can see by him and his wife's posts) They are sharing their visits here, as a thank you for all the prayers and shares!! Thank you!!!

Additional Updates:

On the side of the page you can see additional updates. Please take time to read.  Please keep Stephanie in your prayers as she will testify against this pediphile on November 4th.  Multiple trips to Illinois for counseling and getting used to the court room and prosecutor is making it increasingly difficult for the family.

This is Levi Shake the daddy.  Levi's wife Emily. Jared and Stephanie are brother and sister.  Jared has lived with Levi for most of his life as daddy has sole custody.  Stephanie lived with her mother who had sole custody.  Little did anyone know the type of life this little girl had to endure.

Why Can't Levi Bring Her Home Now?

The case is complex.  The mother, stepfather and Stephanie had only lived in Illinois a short time, under the 6 months required for residency.  Technically they were a resident of Indiana.  The judge in Illinois can rule on the crimes (neglect and preditory  assault) that happened in Illinois.  The family law that covers custody is an Indiana issue.   To muddy the waters further, this is two ongoing cases.  The neglect case has been continued.  The  assault case has also been continued for what reason we are not sure.. so the state of Illinois would like Stephanie to be within state lines.

What About Levi's Visitation?

Levi has visitation every week.  He is allowed to take Stephanie anywhere in the state of Illinois as long as he doesn't cross state lines and has her back in that same evening. CPS and Casa have recommended that Levi have custody.