On a regretful night, my former best friend, partner, and husband of 7+ years made the heart-wrenching decision to take my three young children from their birth mother. At the tender ages of 3, 7, and 10, my precious little ones were forcibly taken from their home. They brought to the house my husband and I had been arguing about that night. That was when my heart was torn into pieces.
The disagreement was highly charged for both of us; he insisted on living with his mother, my mother-in-law, while I was determined to reside with my husband and children in our own home or apartment. The location didn't matter as much as being together as a family. Following our argument, I spent the evening visiting my parents, who lived just twenty minutes away. Little did I know that this choice would have significant consequences.
My name is Wendy Ortiz, and unfortunately, this is my life story.
I returned home on January 5, 2023, only to discover it was half empty. My husband had taken all of my children's furniture, clothes, toys, and belongings, including our essential family documents. I was utterly shocked and couldn't comprehend what had happened. It felt as though my world was crumbling around me; my legs trembled, and I feared they would give out from under me. My parents were there, equally stunned, and asked me what was going on. I mentioned calling the police, but my parents advised against it, warning that it would mark the end of my relationship with my husband.
Sadly, I heeded their advice.
On that particular day, he called me and informed me that I had two weeks to vacate the premises. I had to start packing our home myself, which was quite challenging. It had been eleven days since I sat beside our Christmas tree with my children. I could still smell the holiday season in the empty house. It was hard to understand that he had terminated our rental agreement without informing me. More importantly, he had planned to leave me months before telling me. He seemed fine when we spent Christmas together, so I never expected this to happen. My world turned upside down in the blink of an eye. It felt like my life had been completely derailed in just one night. Our relationship was far from perfect, and I was deeply troubled by the fact that my husband couldn't see things from my perspective.
After my husband removed most of our furniture at the local dump and took the 'nicer' things to his parent's place, he moved in with my three children. He put the rest of our belongings in storage under his name. As a housewife with no access to “his” bank accounts, no personal savings, and no steady paycheck, I had to move in with my parents. Most of my earnings from my artwork went to his personal bank account, which I had no access to. I was so depressed that I begged him to take me back and go back to being a family. My artwork originated from my youth, and I felt unsure, afraid, alone, used, and discarded. I missed my family and felt like a part of me was taken away. I was deeply depressed and almost lost all hope.
He created his own “Dissolution of Marriage” and “Community Asset Distribution” agreements without legal assistance or evidence supporting the figures listed. However, I believed that everything would be resolved if I followed his instructions, and we could reconcile. He kept saying that he still loved me and wanted me back. It felt like a cruel joke because whenever I agreed to reconcile, he would say, “It's not time yet.” (I have text messages from both of us to provide as evidence.) A couple of weeks later, he completely cut me off financially, and since all the accounts were in his name, I was powerless. Despite my husband sending spousal support, there was always a catch. Sometimes, I would receive only a partial amount, and other times, a lump sum. Unfortunately, due to this inconsistent support, I could not afford to move into my own place. He was the sole breadwinner of the household. Throughout our partnership and ten-year marriage, I was listed as a dependent housewife on his taxes. When he blindsided me, his salary was almost $200,000 per year. The allowance he gave me always needed to be more consistent and based on his mood.
For several months, I did not receive any support. During this time, he would make demands, stipulating certain conditions that needed to be met for him to spend time with my children or provide financial assistance.
For example, this year, I was scolded by my husband and told to cut myself off the family cell line. I would receive immediate spousal support in the total amount. I was already broke and begging for my spousal support and was being kicked out of yet another motel in San Bernardino, so I did what I was told and cut myself off. Furthermore, I waited to see what he would do, and when I saw nothing happening, I asked him and was told he only had $3** in his account. My spousal support should have been much higher, around $2***. He then sent me a screenshot of his account with only $6*). I was in pure shock. How could he keep doing this to me? I was sick to my stomach and went into a panic attack. The human heart can only take so much hurt; it felt like mine was at its limit. My life felt like it was falling away from me, and I could do nothing to save it.
In June 2023, I was served with an Emergency Custody Hearing he filed against me because, according to him, I was a danger to my children. He claimed I was an abusive alcoholic. I have never been in trouble with the law for anything. The case was canceled. Soon after, he claimed we were in the process of a regular divorce but found out only two weeks ago he just filed for divorce. I was intimidated to do anything to defend myself because he took everything legally. The case was canceled.
Soon after, he claimed we were in the process of a regular divorce but found out only two weeks ago he just filed for divorce. I was intimidated to do anything to legally defend myself because he took everything, and I was stripped of everything, even my children. His family has the means. Not mine. He made me believe we could reconcile throughout. I have texts this past December 2023, telling me he still loves me and wants to try again. We were together for 15 years and married for seven years. My children were 3, 7, and 9 years old. I have no visitation rights unless under his absolute supervision and must follow his rules. I now live in cheap motels with my dog for protection, while he moved in with his wealthy parents in a multimillion.
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