Child custody can be one of the most contentious disputes in a divorce case, since both parents often believe they have the best interests of their children at heart. Emotions may be running high for parents getting divorced, especially if they are unable to reach a compromise on custody or visitation arrangements. It is less common for divorcing parents in Texas to become violent in a custody dispute, although it can happen.
San Antonio authorities have taken a woman into custody and may charge her with aggravated assault, after a recent attack on the father of her children and two of the man’s family members. Reportedly, the mother stabbed the three people when they arrived at her home to pick up the father’s children. After the stabbing, authorities were unable to locate the children in question. It is unknown what provoked the attack, but a custody dispute is believed to be at the root of the incident. Law enforcement stated that one victim is in critical condition after being stabbed in the neck, while the other two are stable.
During a divorce, there may be numerous reasons one parent might not want the children to visit the other parent. There may be a concern that the children would be subjected to neglect or verbal, emotional or physical abuse while in the other parent’s care. Both parents might have widely varying opinions on parenting. It is also common for one parent to hold a grudge and to withhold visitation to punish the other parent. Regardless of whether a custody dispute turns violent, it may be helpful to speak with a family law attorney.
Source: KSAT.com, “Three people stabbed in child custody dispute at far west side home,” Mariah Medina, Oct. 15, 2017