DCSE/Department Of Child Support Enforcement Forced to Quit My Job Because They Took Away My Driver's Licence When I Was Already Homeless Manassas, Virginia

I left my ex-husband in 2001 because of the abuse I was suffering.  I had to make a decision as to what was best for my son and at the time I did not believe that my ex would hurt our son.  I knew that if I tried to take my son, the police would become involved and I therefore made the hardest decision I've ever had to make and thought it would be better for my son to not put him through a horrible fight.  I was wrong.

Through my lawyer, an agreement was made as to what I could reasonably afford to help with the bills for my son.  Not even two months after I left, my ex started putting my nine-year old son in the middle of situations and actually had my son spying on me and reporting back to him.  The abuse of my son then started.  The school said they were worried about my son either dropping out or trying to commit suicide.  I repeatedly tried to get him help; however, my ex is very good at manupulating people and no one would help him.

When I had to change careers due to a layoff, my unintelligent ex didn't stop to think that I might have taken a severe blow to my income with a change in career.  He took me to court and argued for more money, even though my son would show up for visitation in the winter with no coat.  I found out that he used the child support I was paying him to pay off credit cards and buy a new car.  I fought to no avail and now had to pay more.

Due to the economy now, I lost my home a year and a half ago and have been living in my vehicle.  I could barely see my son and he is so depressed that I worry about him constantly.  I recently had to renew my driver's license and my job depends on me being able to drive my own vehicle.  I was told that they would not renew my driver's license due to the child support.

I have never talked with more rude people in my life.  Ms. Ross is my case worker and consistently yells at me.  Ms. Miller was no help.  Ms. Cabaness passed me on to Ms. Sheila Matthews-Johnson who called me a liar, yelled at me then hung up on me.  Shelley and Ms. Chaney told me to do two different things, which did not help.  Lil Cooper passed me onto supposedly the top person who is the court enforcement supervisor; Michelle Burke.

Now, my employer was taking money out of my paycheck and sending it to them.  However, they said that I had to pay all of it to keep my license - even though they knew I was homeless.  I said to Ms. Burke, "How does this make any sense?  If you take away my license, I will lose my job then you will get nothing."  She did not care.  I told them that I could come up with half of the $6,000.00, but obviously if I had the whole thing I wouldn't be homeless.  Again, no compromise.  She said, "All or nothing".

No one can believe what has happened to me.  I've even talked with people in Governor McDonnell's office and they are no help.  So, now I am homeless, have no job, have no driver's license and I will be out of money by the end of the week.  Meanwhile, this whole time that I have been homeless my ex lives in an apartment that costs $1,200.00 a month.  He obviously has no need for all this money and now I never get to see my son.  How my ex and his family can sit at an Easter dinner table knowing that their grandson's mother is homeless is beyond comprehension.  My son is getting ready to graduate from high school in a couple of months.  Not forgetting that I can't even get to the graduation, what happens when I can pay this money?  Will it go to this con artist who negleted and abused his son?  The system is a disgrace and doesn't help the very people it's suppose to; the children.