AWOL soldier left for her daughter

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/REPOSITORY/706030353

A New Hampshire National Guard soldier could face up to five years in prison on desertion charges for leaving Iraq to gain custody of her 7-year-old daughter.

Spc. Lisa Hayes, 32, of Rindge, was serving her second tour in Iraq when she was notified of two violent incidents between her ex-husband and his live-in girlfriend. Hayes's ex-husband had primary guardianship of their daughter, Brystal Knight.

Hayes, a soldier serving with the 3643rd Security Forces, asked for emergency leave in February to attend a court hearing and gain custody of Brystal. But the court proceedings aren't over yet, and Hayes's leave expired in March. Hayes has asked for a hardship discharge from the Guard, saying there is no one else to care for Brystal.

"I can't serve my country at my daughter's expense," she said. "I have to be here. There's no going back."

[aquart]

1. Compassionate conservatism, anyone? Family values?

[liberalnurse]

2. Won't the desertion reflect poorly

for her when she fights for custody? Her exhusband can definitely use that against her since their is no "rehabilitation" for military desertion.

He ex-husband can easily go to a Therapist who would then say..".He has worked thru his rage issues". Demonstrate other positive stability issues such as school, medical care history, no physical harm done to the child, take the child to a therapist, family support etc.

She just harmed herself and any potiential custody of her daughter by this impulsive action.

[Lex]

3. Her going AWOL doesn't go to the issue of how well she cares for her daughter

so it would have no negative impact on whether she should get custody. It would be irrelevant as to whether she is a good, caring and capable mother.