She Was Losing Her Kids to Someone Dangerous
The mother sat across from me trying not to cry. Her ex-husband was fighting for custody of their two kids—ages 6 and 8. And he was winning.
The court saw a successful businessman with a nice house. She saw the man who’d put her in the hospital twice. The father who showed up drunk to pick up the kids. The person who let his girlfriend’s drug dealer boyfriend around her children.
But she couldn’t prove any of it. It was her word against his. And his lawyer was good.
Her custody evaluation was next month. Without evidence, she was going to lose primary custody. Maybe lose them completely.
That’s when she hired us for child custody investigation.
We documented everything in six weeks. Drug use. Alcohol abuse. Dangerous people around the kids. Neglect. All of it on video and in sworn statements.
She won full custody. He got supervised visitation only.
Here’s how child custody investigation changed everything.
Why She Was Losing
Her ex-husband looked good on paper. That’s the problem with family court—paper matters more than truth until you have evidence.
What the court saw:
- Stable job with good income
- Nice house in decent neighborhood
- No criminal record
- Passed drug test (gave him advance notice)
- Said all the right things to custody evaluator
What she knew but couldn’t prove:
- He drank heavily when kids weren’t there
- Used cocaine regularly
- New girlfriend had active addiction
- Girlfriend’s ex (drug dealer) was around the kids
- Left kids with random people instead of watching them
- Kids came home hungry, dirty, scared
- House was a mess despite looking good for court visits
Her attorney said: “I believe you. But belief doesn’t win custody cases. Evidence does.”
That’s why she needed child custody investigation.
According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, private investigation has become essential in contested custody cases because courts require documented evidence, not just testimony.
What We Investigated
When we take cases involving child custody investigation, we document everything that matters to the court.
Week 1-2: Surveillance During His Parenting Time
We watched what actually happened when the kids were with him.
First weekend: Kids dropped off Friday at 6pm. He left at 8pm. Went to bar. Came back at 2am visibly drunk. Kids alone in house for six hours.
Saturday morning: Girlfriend showed up. Her ex-boyfriend (the dealer) came with her. Stayed at the house with the kids for three hours.
Second weekend: Similar pattern. Left kids alone Friday night. Different bar. Same drunk stumbling return at 2am.
Sunday: Dropped kids at his mother’s house. Didn’t pick them up until Monday morning right before school. Kids spent his entire custody weekend with grandma while he was at girlfriend’s place.
Our surveillance documented all of this on video. Timestamped. GPS-tagged. Undeniable.
Week 3-4: Background Investigation
We ran comprehensive background checks on everyone around the kids during his parenting time.
The girlfriend: Two DUI convictions. One drug possession charge. Currently unemployed. Evicted from last two apartments.
The girlfriend’s ex (dealer): Multiple drug trafficking charges. Currently out on bail for possession with intent. Active restraining order from a different woman.
His drinking buddies: One with DWI. One with assault charge. These were people watching his kids when he went out.
This phase of child custody investigation revealed the dangerous environment the mother suspected.
Week 5-6: Witness Interviews
We interviewed everyone who’d witnessed concerning behavior.
Neighbors: Heard him screaming at kids. Saw kids playing outside unsupervised late at night. Saw constant stream of questionable people at the house.
Bar staff: Knew him well. Confirmed he drank heavily multiple nights per week. Saw him leave drunk regularly.
His mother: Initially defensive but eventually admitted she was worried about his drinking. Said she keeps the kids most weekends because she doesn’t trust him alone with them.
The kids’ teacher: Noticed children came to school tired and hungry after dad’s weekends. One child mentioned being scared at daddy’s house.
We documented all of this in sworn affidavits for the case.
Check out our child custody investigation services for how we document evidence in family court cases.
The Evidence We Compiled
After six weeks of child custody investigation, we provided comprehensive documentation:
Video surveillance showing:
- Father leaving children alone multiple times overnight
- Heavy drinking during custody time
- Dangerous individuals around children
- Children being neglected
- Living conditions at his home
Background reports on:
- Girlfriend’s criminal history and active addiction
- Drug dealer’s criminal record and pending charges
- Court records showing pattern of dangerous associations
Witness statements from:
- Neighbors documenting neglect and concerning behavior
- Bar staff confirming excessive drinking
- His own mother admitting she doesn’t trust him with kids alone
- Teacher noting children’s condition after his custody time
Documentation of:
- Times children were left unsupervised
- Instances of intoxication around children
- Unsafe individuals having contact with children
- Pattern of neglect and poor judgment
The child custody investigation provided everything her attorney needed.
What Happened in Court
Her attorney presented our evidence during the custody hearing.
The judge watched:
- Video of him leaving kids alone to go drinking
- Footage of drug dealer coming to his house around the children
- Surveillance showing pattern of neglect
The judge read:
- Background reports on dangerous people around kids
- Sworn statements from multiple witnesses
- His mother’s admission that she doesn’t trust him
The judge heard:
- Teacher testimony about children’s condition after his weekends
- Neighbor testimony about neglect
- Expert testimony from our investigators
His attorney had no response. The evidence from child custody investigation was overwhelming.
The ruling:
Mother awarded full legal and physical custody. Father got supervised visitation only—four hours per week at a supervised facility. No overnight visits. No unsupervised contact.
He’d have to complete substance abuse treatment, pass random drug tests for six months, and prove stability before any custody modification would be considered.
The child custody investigation saved those kids from a dangerous situation.
What Child Custody Investigation Actually Includes
When families hire us for child custody investigation, here’s what we do:
Surveillance During Custody Time
We document what actually happens when the other parent has the children. Do they provide proper care? Are kids supervised? Is the environment safe? Who else is around the kids?
Surveillance reveals the truth courts need to see.
Background Checks on Everyone
We investigate the other parent and anyone who spends time around the children. Criminal records. Drug history. Employment. Living situation. Financial stability.
Substance Abuse Documentation
We document drug and alcohol use through surveillance, witness statements, and investigative techniques. Courts take substance abuse seriously when proven.
Living Conditions Assessment
We assess the home environment. Is it clean? Safe? Appropriate for children? Are basic needs being met? We document living conditions visually.
Witness Interviews
We interview neighbors, teachers, family members, friends—anyone who’s observed the parent with the children. We gather testimony from credible witnesses.
Social Media Investigation
We examine social media for evidence of substance use, dangerous behavior, inappropriate conduct, or anything concerning around children.
School and Medical Records
We review records showing attendance, grades, behavior, medical care. Patterns emerge showing which parent actually handles responsibilities.
Common Issues We Document
Substance Abuse
Drug use. Excessive drinking. DUI arrests. Being intoxicated around children. Child custody investigation documents all of it.
What courts care about: Not past use—current use. Not occasional drinking—intoxication around kids.
Domestic Violence
History of violence. Current threatening behavior. Abuse toward other parent affecting children. Documented through evidence.
Neglect
Children left unsupervised. Basic needs not met. Unsafe living conditions. Poor hygiene or nutrition. Child custody investigation proves patterns of neglect.
Dangerous Associates
Gang members. Drug dealers. Sex offenders. Violent criminals around children. Background checks reveal these dangers.
Mental Health Issues
Untreated mental illness affecting parenting ability. Erratic behavior. Instability. Documented carefully.
Parental Alienation
One parent turning kids against the other. Coaching children. Blocking contact. Child custody investigation documents manipulation tactics.
False Allegations
Sometimes we’re hired to prove allegations are false. We work both ways—proving truth, whatever it is.
Why Courts Trust Professional Investigation
Judges see parents making accusations against each other constantly. Everyone claims the other parent is terrible. Most can’t prove it.
Professional work provides:
Objective documentation: We’re not emotionally involved. We document facts. Courts trust that.
Admissible evidence: We know what courts need. Proper documentation. Legal methods. Chain of custody. Our evidence holds up.
Expert testimony: We testify in court about our findings. Years of experience. Professional credentials. Judges respect that.
Comprehensive proof: Not just one incident—patterns. Multiple witnesses. Video. Documentation. We build overwhelming cases.
Legal compliance: We follow all laws. Everything we do is legal and ethical. Evidence won’t get thrown out.
According to the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, professional investigators have become increasingly important in custody cases where abuse, neglect, or substance issues are alleged.
What to Document for Your Case
If you’re considering child custody investigation, document everything yourself first:
Keep records of missed visits, late pickups, concerning behavior. Take notes with dates and times. Save text messages showing irresponsibility or concerning statements.
Document medical appointments you handle alone. School meetings the other parent skips. Times kids come back hungry, dirty, upset.
Take photos of concerning conditions at other parent’s home. Save social media posts showing inappropriate behavior.
This helps us conduct thorough work when you hire us.
When You Need Child Custody Investigation
Consider professional child custody investigation if:
You suspect abuse or neglect but can’t prove it. Kids come home with stories but no evidence.
Other parent has substance abuse issues they’re hiding from the court. Passed one drug test but you know they’re using.
Dangerous people are around your kids during other parent’s custody time. You need background checks and documentation.
Other parent is making false claims about you. Child custody investigation can prove allegations are lies and document your actual parenting.
Court-ordered custody evaluation is coming and you need evidence. We provide what evaluators and judges need to see.
You’re losing custody to someone you know is unfit. Like our case—she was losing until evidence proved the truth.
How Long Does Investigation Take?
Cases vary based on complexity. Our case took six weeks because we needed extensive surveillance and multiple witness interviews.
Typical timeline:
- Simple cases: 2-3 weeks
- Moderate complexity: 4-6 weeks
- Complex cases: 2-3 months
We move as quickly as possible while gathering thorough evidence.
What Happens After Child Custody Investigation
Once we complete child custody investigation, we provide everything to your attorney:
Detailed written report documenting all findings. Video evidence with timestamps and GPS data. Witness affidavits. Background check results. Photos of conditions. Expert analysis.
Your attorney uses this in court. We testify if needed. Our evidence speaks for itself.
Judges make decisions based on best interests of children. Our work shows what’s actually happening versus what parents claim.
We Can Help Protect Your Children
At Terrance Private Investigator & Associates, we specialize in child custody investigation throughout Houston and Texas.
We’ve documented substance abuse, neglect, dangerous associates, domestic violence—everything that threatens children’s safety.
We know what courts need to see. We know how to gather evidence legally. We know how to document patterns that prove unfitness.
If you’re fighting for custody and need evidence, we can help.
Call Now: 832-404-3400
Email: getanswers@piterrance.com
Visit: www.piterrance.com
Professional child custody investigation. Evidence that protects children.
Because your kids deserve better than living in danger while you can’t prove it.
