For years, matters of custody leaned in the favor of mothers because the general consensus was that they were better at taking care of children than men. However, countless studies and anecdotal evidence have shown irrefutably that fathers are just as important to a child’s healthy development. Fathers’ rights activists have fought for change and have made headway, but there are still obstacles to overcome.
One recent case in Iowa is underlining the need for a review of custody laws in every state, including Minnesota. Dillon Wyckoff didn’t have custody of his two-year-old son Mason when he was found dead on July 22. Dillon had repeatedly asked authorities to look into the mother’s mental health issues and even tried to have her committed to a mental health facility. He claims she had threatened to take the boy and drive her car into a lake and had displayed other disturbing behavior that warranted investigation.
Police are not releasing the cause of death, so for now there isn’t an indication whether the mother was responsible or not. One thing is for sure, though: custody shouldn’t be about gender, it should be about the best interests of the child.
You may be fighting for custody during divorce or you may be worried about your child’s well-being and would like to get a modification. In either case, a family law attorney can help you make sure the best interests of your child are always put front and center. Working with the right attorney may be able to get you the results you and your family are looking for.
Source: desmoinesregister.com, “Fathers’ rights activists push for change after toddler’s death,” Brianne Pfannenstiel, August 2, 2016