Man Stabbed in Back During Violent Child Custody Dispute in Michigan

It is likely no surprise to most Chicagoans that the issue of child custody in the context of divorce proceedings can be an incredibly heated topic. When a marriage comes to an end, if there are children born in the marriage, one of the most difficult and controversial topics that comes up in a Chicago divorce is no doubt legal and physical child custody. Legal child custody refers to which party or parent gets to make important life decisions on behalf of the child, such as educational, medical, and religious decisions. Physical custody, on the other hand, refers to who the child will live with. In addition to physical and legal child custody, the parties must agree, or a judge must rule, as to a visitation schedule. A visitation schedule establishes when the child will see each of the parents, for how long, and other logistical details of visitations. Altogether, these elements of a divorce or child custody case are often hard-fought, and, ultimately, will dictate how the child is parented for years to come after the divorce proceedings or child custody proceedings are over.

While the vast majority of child custody disputes are resolved peacefully through child custody lawyers, the courts, and the parties themselves, unfortunately, some child custody disputes turn violent. Such was the case in Michigan this week on the July Fourth Holiday, when two men had an altercation over child custody issues in a Portage McDonald’s parking lot.

According to local reports, a fight between a 19-year-old Portage, Michigan man and a 24-year-old Kalamazoo, Michigan man broke out around 6:25pm at the South Westnedge Avenue McDonald’s fast food restaurant location. Authorities state that the two men became involved in the altercation during a child custody exchange between the Portage man and his sister’s ex-boyfriend. During the altercation, the Portage man stabbed the Kalamazoo man multiple times in his back. Others who were with each of the men at the time also became embroiled in the fight, and were injured as a result. The Kalamazoo man was taken to the hospital and was last listed as in “critical condition”, according to reports. The Portage man was arrested, but no other arrests were made, and the incident is still under investigation by local law enforcement.

Help with Child Custody Issues in Chicago

Although child custody disputes do not often end in bloodshed, the recent case at the Michigan McDonald’s serves as a reminder that when child custody issues get especially contentious, fights may escalate to more than verbal disagreement. One of the ways that you can help protect your interests when it comes to child custody in Chicago is to speak with an experienced Chicago child custody lawyer as soon as possible in your child custody case. The experienced Chicago child custody lawyers at the law firm Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC are here to help with your Chicago child custody issues and disputes. Contact Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC and speak with an experienced Chicago child custody lawyer about your case today.

Source:

mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2023/07/man-stabbed-multiple-times-during-child-custody-exchange-police-say.html