A nasty Ohio child custody battle can affect more than just the parents. The child is often hurt by the outcome, even if he or she is too young to know the details of the conflict. Jimmy Smith, player for the Baltimore Ravens NFL team, and his ex-girlfriend are seeking to change the terms of a child custody agreement from a year ago.
Micaela Sanchez wants sole custody of their 3-year-old son, legally accusing Smith of physical violence against her and drug use around their son during his times of visitation with Smith. She did not provide any details on an alleged abuse episode, and he has not been charged with abuse since they began their relationship. She did provide several pictures that could be condemning, but there was not enough definition to prove it was Smith.
While he had some legal issues during his college years, Smith and his attorney claim the current allegations on all points are false. According to the custody agreement from 2016, both parents regularly submit to drug tests, and he has not failed one yet. He also is required to have his son’s nanny present during his visitation times, which are Monday through Thursday each week. He must pay child support in the amount of $6,000 each month and an additional amount for other child-related expenses. His organization made a statement acknowledging the accusations, but the NFL would make no further comment.
There are many cases like this one, where the former partners want changes made to an original child custody agreement. It is always best to have legal representation to avoid costly errors in the future. An attorney in Ohio who has a thorough knowledge of the family laws for the state of Ohio will work with his or her client to prepare an agreement that has the best interests of the child in mind.
Source: baltimoresun.com, “Ravens’ Jimmy Smith denies ex-girlfriend’s allegations of drug use and domestic violence in custody dispute“, Jeff Barker, Nov. 2, 2017