Resilience In The Face of Adversity: The Hunter vs Grant Custody Battle

By Lauren Cade

The threat of losing your child, grandchild, overwhelming you! The devastation of having that child or grandchild already taken! What now, what do you do! Are you feeling defeated: Your adversary is in a better financial position than you! Intimidated into believing you don't have a chance for custody!  Maybe the thought of going to court, not knowing what to expect and you're overwhelmed by fear of that alone. Whatever your circumstance: focus on the love of that child you have, that child you raised and nurtured. Then ask yourself: Is there anything I won't do for my child or grandchild's best interest.  Love and resilience can conquer all fear and take you to heights you never thought you could reach.  You will see that unravel in Harriet's custody battle.  A single Mom, though not biologically related to the child she raised, Harriet who has faced all the challenges mentioned above and more, takes on this battle developing great courage, strength, and resilience that allows her the only person to fight a unique custody battle that she wins: changing the law regarding child custody forever. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jori O'Neale
• Release date: Apr 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224625307

Lauren Cade

Lauren Cade was born and raised in Queens, NY. From an early age, Lauren loved writing, mostly poems.  As a disciple of Christ for the past 35 years, God has opened many doors for her. This book is a way for Lauren to share a glimpse of the powerful God she serves, in whom she has complete faith and trust in, as He continues to encourage and inspire her with miracles, yes even in this modern-day age. Lauren currently lives in Long Island New York where she resides with her 18 year old son LaCameron. 

Book preview

Resilience in the Face of Adversity:

(The Hunter-vs-Grant Custody Battle)

Harriet Hunter was a single woman who loved kids and grew up babysitting at a young age.

She was always protective of kids she may have seen in distress or possible danger and intervened whether she knew the parent or not.

Harriet never had children of her own, but accepted this through faith in her relationship with God," Mia was a beautiful baby girl born to Jennifer Grant. Due to medical complications, Jennifer didn’t have the opportunity to raise her daughter.

George and Earnesta Grant have known Harriet for many years, as Harriet had become close friends with one of their family members.  They were the young grandparents who accepted the responsibility on paper to raise Mia.  The problem was that" they weren’t actually ready to settle down and take on the responsibility of raising her as their remaining children were already young adults.

George and Earnesta both wanted time for themselves, and didn’t have the time to spend with Mia. Mia basically started living with Harriet full-time by the time she was 9 months old.  The Grants were living their life and felt Mia was in good hands.

Harriet found herself in a role she never thought she would experience: a mother raising a beautiful baby girl.

Though Mia had some health challenges,  it didn’t hinder Harriet’s ability to love her as if she had given birth to her.

Harriet would reach out to the Grants about Mia and bring her to their house, but there was always a reason they weren’t available.

Harriet bonded with Mia and Mia with Harriet in every way a parent and child could bond.  Harriet would raise Mia for 10 years with no rebuttal from George and Earnesta; they never even asked to take Mia to spend the night.

Harriet experienced every stage from teething, to first teeth, to first baby steps. She took Mia everywhere: to the doctors, parks, and church.

Harriet realized she was going to have to have a conversation to ask for legal custody since after all she had raised Mia for so many years already, and still didn’t have a legal right to her.

Mia had some medical issues that would prove to be caused by medical negligence which would eventually end up with her being awarded a financial settlement that would spark a life altering custody battle that would not only change the lives of all involved but change case law as they knew it.

Harriet was convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that God orchestrated the whole situation allowing her to experience being a mother after so many years. Having Mia taken away from her was not a part of His plan. This was a time in Harriet’s life she knew her faith was going to be tested beyond what she could imagine.  She had to put her trust totally and completely in God knowing he would not fail her.  Harriet decided to not dwell on what she couldn’t control and focus on what she can knowing God was working in every aspect of this painful situation.

Harriet kept herself busy so as not to lose her mind with the waiting.  But she was confident that victory was in the realm.  She continued attending church, praying and spending time with family and friends.

While having lunch one day at a diner, Harriet saw a flier for a cabaret show to be held at a Jewish temple near her.  She thought that sounded like fun.  Harriet attended the show with a group of family and friends and they danced and sang along enjoying the show.

Eventually, when it was over, the show's manager, Bob, came to greet Harriet and her family and friends to see who they knew in the show, since they were so engaged in the performances sitting at the table, hooting and hollering. After speaking with Harriet he asked her, Would you like to audition to be a part of our show?

Yes, responded Harriet, I would love to!  Harriet became a part of the cabaret and would remain a part of the show for a few years.

Harriet continued singing and dancing, because she knew she could keep herself busy and be joyful and happy despite the fact that Mia had been abruptly taken away from her and it’s already been months since she had last seen her because she was refused visitation with her.  In her heart Harriet trusted God and no matter the pain and suffering she was faced with now, she knew Mia would be coming back home to her.  Harriet knew she had to stand firm, steadfast, full of non-shaking faith amid the storm she was about to be engulfed in.

Chapter I: The Journey Begins

Harriet Hunter was a devoted mother for 10 years to Mia, who knew her as the only mother she had.  One day George and Earnesta, without warning, invoked their rights as grandparents and snatched Mia away from Harriet, allowing no explanation and no contact with Mia.

Harriet was devastated, not to mention Mia who had no idea what was happening.  Not knowing what to do, Harriet went through numerous levels of emotions.

Her priority was always caring for Mia and Harriet knew she still had possession of her medicine, so she dropped it off the next day to the Grants so Mia didn’t miss her dosages.

Harriet was so overwhelmed with hurt and pain, she cried, prayed and cried and prayed all night.  Harriet decided she was going to court, not knowing what she could accomplish or how it would turn out.

She knew one thing: They had taken her child, whom she had raised for 10 years, and which happened to be at the same time Mia’s settlement was finalized.  Harriet is now in Mama bear mode. Knowing in her heart God will make a way.  She didn’t know how, and was not concerned at this point, she just needed to act, and in faith trust the deliverance.

The next day Harriet goes down to the family court and fills out the application to start an application for a petition to go to court for custody.

The clerk, reading her information, looks up and says, Who are you? Are you related to this child?  Harriet responds, Not by blood, but I raised her for 10 years. She’s my child in every way that counts.

The clerk says to Harriet.  "I don’t think the judge