For the past 3 years, I, Shakeel Millen have been battling a Guardianship case for my oldest son, Marley Millen-Larkins, whom is in custody of his grandparents, Joanne Larkins and Keith Larkins while living with his mother, Allanah Larkins who voluntarily signed over her guardianship rights as well because she resides at the home with Our son. Allanah has no interest in co-parenting. Joanne and Keith Larkins have both taken over the role with Legal Guardianship. Since 2015, Despite living with Marley from Birth to 8 months and signing the birth certificate...With guidance from the Dept. of Children and Families, Joanne and Keith went to Middlesex Family and Probate Court in Cambridge, MA to file for guardianship. The Department of Children and Families worker shortly left for another job. After or prior to leaving for that job, the same Social Worker assigned to the case could not find the notes that was on file for I, Shakeel Millen. The Dept. of Children and Families than closed my case due to Allanah and I signing over our guardianship, Being told that If I dont...DCF will keep my case open. I have been given a difficult time due to my lack of support and due to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' current parental laws. I have been dealing with constant issues trying to resolve this situation fairly and accordingly with all parties involved. In the 3 years that I have been battling the Guardianship case, Joanne and Keith have kept Marley from my Family and his grandmother, Sylvia Edwards as long as his great grandmother, Jessie Edwards. They're have been numerous lies and so forth about Marley's well-being. While in Joanne and Keith Larkins custody, Marley has been bruised up on his face several times, has had two bumps from occasions of falling off Joanne and Keith Larkins bed and falling out of his high chair. Marley has had bed bug bites before he was 1 years old. He has had to get stitches for his finger along with getting a chunk of his hair pulled out while having multiple strangers watch him. He has come to visitations with me with either the same clothes as the prior visit and has been sent to school with clothes that have been too big for him. These are just a few things to begin with...Along with not recognizing me as a Father or taking advantage of their guardianship and not focusing on the stipulations put in place by Family and Probate Court of Cambridge. 

This petition would impact myself, my family and my community (The Commonwealth) because in today's society they're is a stigma that Fathers don't want to be Fathers by choice. In my case and I'm sure many other cases in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, There are a lot of Fathers, no matter what race or circumstances that face the uphill battle that I as a Black African American Father faces everyday. It is unfair to the Fathers and Dads that want to be apart of their children lives but cant because they are judged long term by the mothers, guardians and so forth along with the Legal system. As a commonwealth, I believe that no one including Fathers, Married or Unwed, should be left out and with the current parental laws the way they are, Fathers like myself who may experience an unfair controlling and manipulative legal custody/guardianship battle and have safety concerns for their children like I do with Marley should be able to have better laws to protect us as BOTH parents are needed in they're lives which includes Fathers, rather separated or not. This petition could also help me, individually and whom ever may be going through a similar situation because I can keep the health of Marley and I's relationship in tact and save it from being diminished or destroyed by guardians and allow Mothers to correctly co-parent by law with Fathers to take on they're responsibility of being a mother and co-parent to a child that it took them both to make it. This will allow fathers that are WILLING to take on they're role like myself and love doing it and enjoy doing it to give their child and children the best opportunity and chance to have a proper upbringing that many like myself missed out on. I am devoted to being a Father and yes throughout my time battling this, I have been brought down so much further than I thought I could ever be brought down and I want to try and make sure that no father in the State of Massachusetts  has to go through this unfair battle that we have to go through and face. 

As a Father who is devoted to his children and to civil rights and making sure that everyone is taken care of fairly, I like to advocate for WILLING fathers whenever I can. Fathers should not have to struggle to be apart of their child's life if they want to or have the desire to because of laws or because of personal remorse or feelings towards the Father of the child. Fellow Fathers, supporters, and Fathers Rights supporters can help make this change along with the attention of the State of Massachusetts and the legislators and State Officials, we can speak up for Our Fathers Rights in which we have rights to OUR children too because we matter just as much as Mothers and Grandparents do to our children.