Perhaps we are looking at Postpartum Depression? She didn't want anything to do with her baby. Old Daddy seems to have known she wanted nothing to do with the baby and wanted to give him up....Yet, he left her alone with his son day after day.....
Why is everyone so willing to give him a free pass?
The father came from a somewhat rough past and, it appears to me, was getting his life together. It looks like the birth of his son helped him get even more serious about life.
Logan is a young man who probably felt, like many young dads I have come across as a family law attorney, that he had little rights and that there would be a bias in the court system in favor of the mother. I can't tell you how many men think that and believe they will never be granted sole custody.
But, Logan seemed to do the best he could to protect his son. First, it appears he called CPS and reported neglect on the part of EJ. That's why there is a CPS investigation going on. Second, he called the police when she trashed the apartment and said he feared for his safety and that of his son. Third, he requested a restraining order against her. I think it was granted temporarily. But, he said he dropped it to reunite with EJ, solely, according to him SO HE COULD BE WITH AND WATCH OVER HIS SON. From a legal perspective, all of this makes perfect sense to me so far. Likely, the baby was not included in any restraining order, so, to protect the child, he felt he had to drop the request. Fourth, he sought custody in the courts on a few occasions. He was granted joint custody before this happened. If he was so terrible, that would not have happened. Finally, he persisted in his quest for custody. The next hearing was on the 28th. She ran before then. Why? Likely because she knew he would be granted more custody. If he was a bad dad, it is unlikely that he would have. But, she apparently felt he was going to be given more custody. And he was. He got sole custody when she failed to show up.
This young man seemed to try via various avenues to protect his son. My question is why aren't most people giving him a break? He's a young man. He's not one of us (meaning a committed advocate for victim's rights, knowledgeable, etc). He just got his life together. He likely did not know that he could call CPS for something like EJ leaving the baby in the crib all day. He thought he was doing what he could by working hard to support his little family. He hoped for the best each day when he came home and he, according to his statements, would grab up little Gabriel, love him up, play with him and take care of all his needs while EJ yelled to "shut that thing up." I feel sorry for Logan. I think he tried as hard as he could.
It seems to me that the grandfather didn't care about the welfare of his own grandchild...Why would he care about her baby???
Here's another one that I don't condemn too much. Not like Logan, but not evil, in my book. This man probably did not have the wherewithall or capacity to care for EJ when she was in foster care all those years. He likely had no rights to EJ when she was a child. Did not have the situation that CPS would deems suitable.
He seems like just an average joe, not heroic, feeling bad about the mess but not feeling strong enough to do much about it. He did appear to try to help somewhat, however, by taking EJ and the baby in and lending her his car, etc.. Also, while he did say she was not into the child and a bit unstable, I did NOT hear him say that she was outwardly abusing or neglecting the child. He probably just hoped for the best and did what he thought he could.
We need much more education in this country about what we can and SHOULD do to help children in need. We also need more of an emphasis on one's obligations to try to care for the children around us. Too many people think someone else will handle it, or that it's just the way things are. That's a shame. We all need to be involved when we see a child at risk.
Finally, regarding TPS and company, I still think she may be in on it. There is no mystery adoptive couple. If anything, it is someone TPS knows hiding the baby for her. By now, the whole country is aware of this case and it would be hard to hide a new addition to the family. Few would even want to do that, keep a baby illegally, that is. But, TPS would and I just know that LE is watching her and her husband carefully, tracking them, their calls, their statements and movements. I see TPS as the type to prey on the unstable, the young, bad mothers like EJ, etc, so she can satisfy a need to "rescue" a baby and prove she is a hero.
LE did not just say they are "optimistic" that Gabriel is alive. They said that they have indications that the baby is alive but do not want to reveal those indications. I think those indications have a lot to do with TPS and her husband. I hope they are hiding the baby. Because if not, he is likely not alive.