A father's fight for change in the justice system takes him across the United States. Robert Crim lost his 3-year-old son, Jacob on February 27, 2012 due to the actions of Jacob's mentally ill mother, Amanda Smith and the Indiana Court system.
Amanda Smith had a history of mental illness, irrational behavior and a drug addiction. She was arrested numerous times, made over 200 irrational reports to the police within a one year time period and had mandated supervised visits with her other two children.
Wanda Smith, Amanda's mother and Jacob's legal guardian, suggested to the courts that Amanda be allowed weekly unsupervised, overnight visits with Jacob. The court agreed with Wanda's suggestion and granted the visits. In October 2011, Robert Crim, Jacob's father whom had straightened his life out; petitioned the court for custody of Jacob and requested that Amanda Smith be allowed supervised visits only. The judge disregarded Roberts's request; stating that those concerns could be addressed at the time of the court hearing which was set for five months later.
Then, 16 days before the custody court date, Wanda Smith took Jacob for his weekly visit to his mothers. That night his mother took Jacob's life. Robert Crim and Jacob did not get their day in court.
Now, Crim is driving across America in a semitrailer truck with a message about Jacob's story. The trailer has a picture of Jacob along with a request for viewers to sign a petition at change.org. Crim doesn't want pity; he wants action. He doesn't want this to happen to another child.
Helping Crim get the message out is his sister, Margaret Crim Maloney.
Maloney states, "The goal of this petition is to bring this to everyone's front door, because with the drug and mental illness issues that are facing many parents today, we as the people of our government need to demand change. We as the family members need to assert tough love and protect the children and stop turning our backs.
There is no easy solutions; we cannot stop people from having children when we know they really shouldn't. Take a stand with my family and DON"T BE SILENT any longer. Make people take notice, fight to get your grand-baby, niece, nephew, son or daughter away from a dangerous situation. Make the right choice and protect our babies.
Crim and Maloney hopes to collect 1 million signatures. After reaching this goal Crim and Maloney will take the signatures before U.S. senators and members of the U.S. House who represent Indiana to request a change in how the court system must determine child visitation and parental rights.
Crim and Maloney are using social networks to get the message about mental illness and child endangerment. They also plan on printing pamphlets and business cards as well.
If you're interested in making a difference in a child's life, please visit and sign Jacob's petition. Your signature could mean the difference between life and death.
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