Separating from a relationship is never easy, especially when there are children involved.

And those caught in a toxic, unhealthy cycle, stuck in a court system that does not have the best interests

of the children involved. It's a broken system that is in desperate need of repair,

that on occasion, far too often, it results in the abuse, neglect and death of the innocent children caught in the middle.

Today's case is one of those stories. Two children given to their father because the other

parent was also not fit to care for them. Quote from the father's own attorney in the custody hearing.

There are a lot of issues with both parents, unquote.

Children given to their father only because he had the means,

despite what the recommendations reported to the court stated.

Unfortunately, because no one was listening, because no one was listening,

because no one was willing to protect the vulnerable.

Nine short months later, one child would lose their life,

destroying countless others in the process.

A death that could have been prevented if the warning signs were addressed.

In a victim's statement, Alicia's aunt, Roberta Fitzpatrick, she summarised it best, quote,

sending her to live with her father was a death sentence.

It was a travesty.

Alicia never got to enjoy anything.

My greatest hope is that this situation sheds light on the way things are done in court

and that they will make changes, unquote.

Unfortunately, more than a decade later, the same horrific situations occur all around the world.

This is Alicia's story.

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