Mom Awoken by 4-Year-Old Daughter, Unprepared for Question She Asks: “At a Loss”

A woman who woke up to an unexpected question from her four-year-old was stunned to find her husband had left in the middle of the night without warning.

The 31-year-old woman and original poster (OP), user Hopeful-Brilliant980, shared her story on Reddit, explaining that she had woken up late that morning to her four-year-old daughter asking where her Daddy was.

After looking around, she was stunned to find her husband had not only disappeared but taken his belongings, electronics, and left the front door open, losing their cat in the process.

He had also taken their only car, drained their bank account, and left her alone with their two children, one just six weeks old.

“I started calling him, but every call went to voicemail,” the OP wrote. “I was openly crying at this point, and my daughter was becoming upset. The baby was in my arms as well.”

Asking Redditors for advice, she continued, “I have no idea what to do. I have no family. I tried calling his mother, and she cussed me out and blocked me.”

As a stay-at-home mom, she said she is “completely dependent” on her husband, adding, “I’m just so scared and confused about where to go from here. I don’t know how I’m going to pay bills or feed my daughter a week from now.”

More than 300 Reddit users flocked to the comments to rally around the OP, offering both sympathy and advice.

One user urged immediate legal action: “You need to call a lawyer to see about your rights first thing Monday morning. I’m so sorry you’re going through this.”

Another added, “You and your children will survive, and you will get through this. Contact the Florida Department of Social Services and apply for aid.”

“I would call the Florida Domestic Abuse hotline: 1-800-500-1119,” one Redditor suggested. “If he took all your money and left you stranded, then this is the exact situation they can help you with.

Florida Law and Spousal Abandonment

According to Hunter Law, Florida recognizes several types of spousal abandonment, including physical, emotional, and criminal.

In this case, the described behavior may constitute both physical and criminal abandonment. Criminal abandonment occurs when a legal caretaker leaves the marital home and fails to support their children.

“A father who leaves the marital home, abandoning his children and with no intention of providing financial support, is committing criminal abandonment and could be prosecuted in the future,” the law firm states.

Florida law doesn’t require fault to initiate divorce, but abandonment can influence outcomes. The courts may consider the circumstances when making decisions about financial support or child custody.

“Abandonment does affect divorce proceedings and can be used as important evidence in divorce cases,” Hunter Law explains.

‘The burden increases’

Psychologist Dr. Melanie McCabe, owner of RDU Therapy, explained, “When a partner leaves suddenly, the experience can resemble the grief of a death—but with the added complexity of knowing the departure was a choice.

“For the remaining partner, this can intensify the emotional impact.

“When children are involved, the burden increases, as the parent must navigate their own grief while supporting their children’s.

“Older children may have some coping skills and understanding, but younger children often lack the language or emotional tools to process the loss, making the situation even more challenging.”

‘I will hold it together for my girls’

Despite the devastation, the OP expressed determination to move forward, noting that she had taken advice from commenters seriously and appreciated those offering help, even donations.

“I will hold it together for my girls, and I will find my cat,” she added. “The support I’ve gotten here has truly strengthened me.”

Newsweek has contacted Hopeful-Brilliant980 for comment via Reddit.

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