Where is Abby now? Micheline Epstein says it's been 7 days since she 'hugged' daughter, 6, after mask row
Micheline Epstein would have never thought in a million years that her 6-year-old daughter Abby would be taken away from her for not wearing a mask. She is currently not able to see her daughter and finding it hard to bear the legal expenses. Let’s take a look at how the entire episode started.
Why was Micheline separated from Abby?
The entire controversy started when she went to drop her daughter off at the Birch Wathen Lenox School on the Upper East Side last week. As soon as she dropped off her daughter in front of the building, the school nurse and school security attempted to force her to wear a mask on the public street.
The family physician from New York City recently said in an interview that she was forcefully separated from her 6-year-old daughter. She also claimed that her daughter was already inside the school and was wearing a mask. However, things escalated when the school nurse came out and screamed loudly at her to put on the mask. She was really upset with the way the nurse yelled at her and refused to cover her face with the mask.
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Things went from bad to worse when the school sent a letter to her, the child’s father, and both parties’ lawyers she is not allowed to drop off or pick up her daughter from the school.
“The next thing I know, my daughter is taken away from me,” Epstein said while crying during the interview.
Who is Jeff Guttenplan?
Jeff Guttenplan is Micheline’s boyfriend and is like a father to Abby. Guttenplan was taken by surprise when the entire controversy took such a dramatic turn. Guttenplan backed Micheline’s story and said that Abby was “already wearing the mask” when she entered her class.
He also noted that there was no “scrimmage” or tussle between Micheline and the school authorities.
Micheline’s Troubled Divorce
Micheline’s first marriage was nothing like she expected it to be. Epstein did not lead a happy life with her husband, whose name has not been revealed by the judge or any media outlets. Micheline filed for a divorced and signed a joint custody arrangement in which it was specifically written that the daughter will spend equal time in both of their homes. The split, on the other hand, has become acrimonious.
The father took the advantage of the situation and decided to use the warning to seek an emergency hearing for full custody. The request made everyone suspicious about the father’s intentions. Additionally, it is really hard to understand why the father’s name is not being revealed.
Who is Justice Matthew F Cooper?
The emergency hearing was granted by Justice Matthew F. Cooper. The veteran was visibly angry with the mother and slammed her for doing such antics. Cooper has been on the bench since 200q and attended Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C., where he earned his J.D. in 1979.
He started practicing law in New York City and went on to practice for over 20 years. His primary focus was to represent people in union pre-paid legal services programs. In 2000, Cooper was elected to the New York City Civil Court. He was initially assigned to Criminal Court for three years before returning to hear civil matters. In 2008, he was appointed an Acting Supreme Court Justice. Two years later he was elected to the New York State Supreme Court.
Apart from that, he is also a member of the New York County Lawyers Association the New York City Bar Association, and the New York State Bar Association.
Where is Abby now?
Now, here comes the most shocking aspect of the case. Despite being extensively covered by media, the location of Abby is currently unknown. Her mother, Micheline Epstein, has also started a ‘Give Send Go’ fundraiser for some financial assistance. In the description, she reveals that the judge called her “crazy” and gave indefinite, full custody to her father. She also wrote, “I am badly in need of funds to help right this wrong and get me, my daughter, back.”
Meanwhile, she recently shared an update that it has been “seven days, since I smelled, hugged or kissed my only daughter.” People connecting in large numbers and she has already more than $20,300 from the campaign.
MEAWW can't verify the claims made in the original report.