Portsmouth police were pulled into an escalating custody dispute after a mother who had just lost custody of her daughter asked officers to check on the child, then later showed up near the father’s home.
According to the police report, juvenile court had removed the child from the mother’s custody and placed her with the father.
The mother then contacted police requesting a welfare check.
She alleged that the father had an unsafe home, including mold, pets, and poor living conditions. She also made a serious allegation about the father’s behavior around children.
Police told her they would not repeatedly respond to welfare checks unless there was a legitimate concern that the child was in danger and warned that police calls should not be used as harassment.
She was advised that concerns about the condition of the home could also be reported to Child Protective Services.
A couple of hours later, police were called again.
The father reported that the mother was outside the home, yelling and sitting across the street watching them.
He told police he had received emergency custody that day and said the mother had been posting pictures of his home on social media.
The mother told officers she had been advised she could sit across from the house and watch.
Police warned her that continuing that behavior could potentially lead to stalking charges.
She again insisted that officers perform a welfare check, saying the child did not have a proper place to sleep and that there was mold inside the home.
Officers did conduct the check.
According to the report, the home appeared clean, no mold was observed, and the child had a place to sleep in a pack and play.
Police also said the child appeared healthy, had plenty of food available, and the animals in the home appeared clean.
The father told officers he was in the process of trying to move into a three-bedroom home.
Police advised both sides to handle the custody dispute through the court system.
The report is a good example of how quickly a family court fight can spill over into repeated police calls.
Police can check on a child’s immediate safety.
They cannot referee a custody battle.
