Monday, July 28, 2025
RE: WH(THE DAD) visitation
Mr H,
My name is B G and I am one of two assigned visit supervisors approved by both parties and the court to supervise visits between EH(SON) Haley and his father WH(THE DAD) , WH(THE DAD)). There appears to be some misconceptions as to how I supervise the visits, so I want to clear those up. I understand that my responsibility is to be sure that WH(THE DAD) does not engage in any form of "brainwashing" by discussing anything concerning the custody case, the lawyer, Judge, A(THE MOM), the child advocate or anyone in anyway related to the case, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I am amazed and disappointed that NO ONE has ever reached out to me to see how the visits are going.
The way this works is like this: I usually get a text message from A(THE MOM) proposing a day and times for a visit. I relay that info to WH(THE DAD) to be sure he would be available. He has never refused, so I then relay the message to A(THE MOM) and the visit is scheduled.
With only a few exceptions, I usually meet A(THE MOM) and EH(SON) at the Wendy’s restaurant at (A PLACE IN HENROC) I park alongside A’s car. Once Eli enters my vehicle in his mother’s presence, I consider the visit and my responsibility to have started. At the end of the visit, we again meet at Wendy’s. I again park along side A’s car. Once EH(SON) exits my vehicle in view of and under the control of his Mother, I consider the visit and my responsibility to have ended, and A(THE MOM) to be in total control. Of course in reality A(THE MOM) is always in control of the visits. Sometimes WH(THE DAD) accompanies me at the pickup and drop off and sometimes he doesn’t. On one occasion A(THE MOM) did express concern that she didn’t know what was being said between WH(THE DAD) and EH(SON) as they were saying their goodbyes because they did so at the rear of my vehicle. The visit was over, she was present and in control at that point, so all she really had to do was exit her vehicle and go watch and listen. All conversations that I have witnessed between A(THE MOM) and WH(THE DAD) at the pick up and drop off of EH(SON) have been respectful and cordial and concerning future visits, so she should not have been uncomfortable if she did so.. Actually I really don’t want to view the goodbyes between EH(SON) and his Dad because I find them to be extremely heart wrenching. On one occasion that I did witness, Eli gave his Dad a toy and told him to hang onto it so he wouldn’t forget him or forget to keep fighting for him. The embraces between father and son are long and emotional and it isnt at all uncommon for both EH and WH(THE DAD) to be teary eyed at the end. Watching that once or twice was enough for me. That really tugs at my heartstrings.
There were a few weeks when EH wasn’t allowed Sunday visits during which he would be able to attend church. However the past three times A(THE MOM) did allow it and actually dropped EH(SON) off there to meet us.
Over the past several visits it has become increasingly difficult to get EH(SON) to meet his Mom on time because he just wants more time with his Dad. Each time he will call his Mom to ask for more time, and she usually grants it, although EH(SON) somehow manages to extend it further. On one occasion, a few visits ago he just didn’t want to leave, so I called A(THE MOM), explained it to her and suggested that she come and get him, which she did. EH(SON) gave her a hard time because he just wanted more time with his Dad and cousin. I am only a visit supervisor and I am NOT in loco parentis, so I can NOT force the issue, or force EH(SON) to leave to meet his Mom. It is still during a visit, so A(THE MOM) is in control, which in reality she is always.
The visits usually take place at R's house ( The Dad’s mom /E’s grandma) where there is a basketball hoop, a pool, air conditioning, a trampoline, and a device to help EH(SON) hone his football throwing accuracy, as well as other Haley kids and friends to play with. On the rare occasions that WH(THE DAD) and EH(SON) are alone without other Haley kids present, WH(THE DAD) will Coach EH(SON) one on one, to hone his sports skills and teach good sportsmanship, work on teaching EH(SON) how to swim, and just have a good time as father and son playing together. I am present at ALL times that WH(THE DAD) and EH(SON) are together. When they aren’t together, such as when WH(THE DAD) is getting changed for the pool, I stay with EH(SON). On a few occasions WH(THE DAD), EH(SON), other Haley kids and I have taken bike rides together. But again, I am always there to hear and see the interaction between father and son, and WH(THE DAD) has never crossed the line. I believe I have supervised all but 2 visits, and since they almost always take place at his grandma Ruth’s house. It would seem to be common sense that she is added as a visit supervisor. Sometimes.. many of the visits have been on very hot humid days where her house is a preferred location for them to take place.
On the very first visit EH(SON) asked his Dad why I had to be there. WH(THE DAD) deferred the question to me and I explained it was what the court wanted to be sure that he wasn’t told anything that he shouldn’t be told or to influence him in any way. He accepted that and never asked anything related to the case or visits again, and WH(THE DAD) never mentioned anything about the case or any of the participants, so I think the visits have gone very well and without a hitch, and WH(THE DAD) and Eli have truly enjoyed their time together, which to them is really never enough..
I do take offense to anyone insinuating that I do not supervise as the court instructed and intended. I am a retired 21 year veteran Irondequoit Police Officer and I take my responsibilities very seriously. I have spent countless hours sweating on very hot humid days to ensure that the court's wishes and instructions are followed to the letter. Anyone stating otherwise is flat out lying. I understand that A(THE MOM) attorney is paid to advocate for her and he does that very well, even occasionally making totally false, ludicrous statements that he offers absolutely no proof to support. I am not paid to lie, or advocate for anyone. I just tell it like it is and let the chips fall as they may. Too bad everyone doesn’t do the same. But to specifically address the accusation that I’m not monitoring the “goodbyes” between WH(THE DAD) and EH(SON), after the visit has ended. I will use very simple math for the very simple minded individuals making the accusation. WH(THE DAD) gets on average 3 visits per week. If he and EH(SON) take all of three minutes to say goodbye after each visit is over, when their conversation is not monitored by me or A(THE MOM), that allows for a maximum of 9 minutes of potential "brainwashing" time………….per week. Now let me see... there are 24 hours to a day each hour consisting of 60 minutes, amounting to 1,440 minutes per day for 7 days per week for a total of 10,080 minutes. Of that, we have a potential for 9 minutes of WH(THE DAD) brainwashing Eli. That leaves 10,071 minutes when EH(SON) is alone with A(THE MOM) to allow her to brainwash him, not that I think she would, any more than WH(THE DAD) would. Who should be worried here? I am friends with both A(THE MOM) and WH(THE DAD), related to neither, approved by both, so I consider myself to be Switzerland……….. a totally neutral 3rd party. I think both are excellent, responsible parents, and EH(SON) is very fortunate to have them as his parents. EVERYONE involved in this matter should be more concerned with what is best for EH(SON) instead of playing games trying to pit mother against father and father against mother, depriving EH(SON) of ample time with both. That serves no useful purpose and only hurts an 8 year old child. I just have a gut feeling that if A(THE MOM) and WH(THE DAD) were alone in a room free of outside influences, they could agree on a fair settlement in a matter of minutes. It is a shame that they won’t have that opportunity while others have so much to gain by dragging the matter out.
truly yours
B G