When Claire met Drew at church in Illinois, she thought she had found her perfect match. What began as kindness and generosity soon revealed itself as “love bombing”—a tactic abusers use to lure their partners into toxic, controlling relationships. Within months of their marriage, Drew’s verbal abuse escalated into physical violence, leaving Claire isolated and afraid.
Even pregnancy did not protect her from the abuse. At one point, Drew pinned Claire against a doorway, pressing on her pregnant belly. Police were called multiple times, yet Drew continued to avoid arrest. Their son, Levi, was born just before Christmas, but the violence did not stop—this time, it unfolded in front of the baby.
Claire’s worst fears came true when Drew attacked her while she was breastfeeding Levi, shoving the infant aside during the assault. Claire fled the apartment barefoot, carrying Levi in her arms, and found help from a stranger who let her call 911. Both mother and child were hospitalized with serious injuries, and Drew was finally arrested. Claire was granted an Emergency Protective Order in Illinois and later relocated to Texas, where she had family support.
Once Claire met Texas residency requirements, she reached out to Lone Star Legal Aid. Her case was assigned to Crime Victim Unit Staff Attorney Cheranda Robertson, who filed for divorce and custody. Drew refused to cooperate, forcing the case toward trial. Robertson coordinated closely with Illinois prosecutors, waiting for Drew’s criminal case to conclude before moving forward. In 2023, Drew pled guilty to family violence charges, received three years’ probation, and was barred from contacting Claire for five years under a new Protective Order.
At trial in Texas, Robertson presented evidence of Drew’s repeated abuse of both Claire and Levi. Claire endured painful testimony and cross-examination but showed remarkable strength. “She was strong, poised, and confident,” Robertson recalled. “More than anything, she was determined to protect herself and Levi from ever having to endure violence again.”
The court granted Claire a divorce on grounds of cruelty, issued findings of family violence, and awarded her sole managing conservatorship of Levi. Drew was denied all possession and access to his son. Claire was also awarded child support, retroactive support for the years Drew failed to provide, and permanent injunctions to protect her family’s safety. Importantly, the court excused Claire from the requirement to share personal information such as her address or phone number with Drew, citing the risk of serious harm.
“Words cannot express the relief Claire must feel now that this case is finally over,” Robertson said. “She and Levi are free, with strong protections in place. Claire’s courage in this case will stay with me always—it motivates me to keep fighting for survivors who deserve safety and justice.”
With Robertson’s help, Claire and Levi can now focus on building a safer, brighter future.
*Name(s) have been changed to protect the client’s identity.
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org