My name is Christy Melvin, I am a mother of three beautiful children, a daughter and two sons. I have watched and guided my two oldest children evolve into young adults. My youngest son Jesse Ray Adams had his chance to grow, learn, and evolve stolen from him at 3 years old. Jesse was murdered by his father, then his father committed suicide. Jesse’s father and I were married for 5 years. Most of those years were filled with abusive altercations. After several failed attempts to file for divorce, I finally began the process. Jesse’s father and I had joint custody even after having the abusive relationship documented by law enforcement. 

On July 13, 2012 my family's life completely changed. Jesse was shot and killed by his father while I was on the phone in a final attempt to hurt and control me. Jesse was told to tell me “maw I’m gonna die tonight”, he was so terrified, confused, upset, crying. There were so many emotions in his last words. After Jesse died I sat in a rocking chair in the hospital holding Jesse, emotionally dead inside knowing that would be the last time I would ever hold Jesse again. I lost a child that night but my daughter and son lost a brother that night. I promised Jesse that night that he would not die in vain, with the goal of protecting and saving children and families from the same tragic fate.

 I have been contacted by protective parents who have experienced domestic violence. I have spoken with parents who have lost custody of their children despite evidence of abuse, child abuse, and/or domestic violence. I have been informed of cases that were referred to reunification therapists or parent coordinators by the family courts. I know of several cases where the reunification therapists or the parent coordinators were informed of abuse but chose to ignore it. Neither reunification therapists or parenting coordinators have mandated child abuse or domestic violence training..so why are abuse cases being referred to these professionals by the courts? Also, the Department of Children’s services has been unreliable in their handling of  child custody cases involving abuse. Since 2008, at least 20 North Carolina children have been murdered by a guardian/parent when either divorce, separation, custody, visitation, or child support was ongoing. 

Every year approximately 58,000 children are awarded custody to an abusive parent in the United States, The Federal government is concerned with the handling of child custody cases involving abuse and has urged the states to take action. In 2022 the Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized and it included title 15, Keeping Children Safe from Violence, Kayden’s Law. Congress findings stated a few alarming statistics including that courts believed less than ¼ of cases that involved allegations of child physical or sexual abuse and approximately ⅓ of alleged parents who committed abuse received primary custody.  Advocates and myself would like for victims of abuse and domestic violence to be heard and protected within our family courts. 

We have  been working on “Jesse’s Law.” Jesse’s Law is a proposed law that would be named after my son Jesse. Jesse’s Law would mandate provisions such as North Carolina family court judges training in types of abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence. We ask that you please help us to better assist children and victims of domestic violence within the family courts by supporting Jesse’s Law. Please click on the link or scan the barcode and sign our petition supporting Jesse’s Law.

Thank you for supporting victims of abuse

Christy Melvin