an abused little girl without a real voice

i have a dear friend who lives in colorado. she is trying to regain full custody of one of her children who has been terribly abused by the father. it is such a long, detailed, insanely frustrating story, i'll skip the details and instead ask if there is anyone who knows of a good attorney, experienced with the family court system, who, most importantly, believes in LETTING THE CHILD HAVE A VOICE and who is licensed to practice in Colorado. i have seen the changes in this child since she has been with her dad. she is overweight. she deals with chronic urinary tract infections/problems. she is depressed--as she told me--her hobbies are watching tv and sleeping. this from a little girl who used to love soccer and riding her bike. she is also acts out a lot in these terrifying fits of rage and has become very clingy, especially towards males who show any sign of loving affection. what is almost as sickening is how many times this little girl has told counselors and the most recent social worker, "i am afraid of my daddy. i don't want to live with him. i want to live with my mommy."

my friend called me yesterday, in tears, sounding utterly exhausted. her recent attempt failed to convince the system that this little girl needs to be removed from dad's custody and returned to live with mom. i asked her "didn't [little girls name] talk with the investigator and tell her she wanted to live with you and that she was afraid of her daddy?" yep. "what about the statement i provided, saying the dramatic changes i've observed in her since she has been living with her dad?" that was included but obviously, discounted, just like the little girl's statement. after going through my own period of disbelief and tears and anger, i told her we won't give up. we'll find a good attorney. the truth shall prevail. we will go public if we have to. start a website.

we've all heard conspiratory statements and stories such as "you can buy justice" and "the family court system is corrupt". given my friends long-standing ordeal, i can say that at times, these statements are not conspiratorial but are rather, truth.

any help is so greatly appreciated. it is for a child. a little girl who has, in her short time on this earth, seen enough ugliness, experienced enough abuse and neglect. it is time someone speak for her, or at the very least, let her voice be heard. and counted.

nina