Army Mom AWOL Over Kid Gets Honorable Discharge

[conlor]

Army mom AWOL over kid gets discharge

CONCORD, N.H. - A soldier charged with desertion while fighting for custody of her 7-year-old daughter has been granted an honorable discharge from the Army, her lawyer said Saturday.

New Hampshire Army National Guard Spc. Lisa Hayes learned of the discharge Friday night at Fort Dix, N.J., where she had surrendered earlier in the week, and she and her daughter Brystal returned home to Rindge, N.H., early Saturday, said her lawyer, Linda Theroux of Merrimack.

Hayes, 32, was serving her second tour of duty in Iraq when she learned of possible domestic violence in the home of her ex-husband, Tim Knight, who had primary custody of Brystal.

According to police and Hayes, Knight was a victim in one domestic violence incident, and a second involved a fight between his mother and girlfriend. The judge who awarded Hayes temporary custody said Knight's problems with alcohol and a stormy relationship with his girlfriend made his home unsuitable for Brystal.

Hayes got emergency leave to come home and won temporary custody of Brystal after a court hearing in late February. The court appointed a guardian to investigate both homes and make a recommendation for permanent custody, but that has not been resolved yet.

Hayes' commander in Iraq extended her leave briefly three times, but it expired March 25. She said she had no one with whom to leave her daughter, but was unable to get another leave extension, a hardship discharge or a transfer to New Hampshire.

The Army declared her AWOL on March 25 when she failed to report for duty. Thirty days later, she was charged with desertion.

After her surrender at Fort Dix on Tuesday, Army lawyers helped her refile for a hardship discharge and it was granted within hours, Theroux said.

In the meantime, Knight had gone back to court Wednesday seeking Brystal's return to his care, concerned that his daughter was missing school and that Fort Dix was not an appropriate environment for her.

A custody hearing is scheduled Tuesday, Theroux said.

Army mom AWOL over kid gets discharge - Yahoo! News

[KBay84]

In the Marines, they'd call that a "For the good of the Corps" Honorable Discharge.

One thing to remember, yes you have an obligation when you sign on the dotted line, but family first. Her circumstances warranted her actions, and I am glad that in this case her discharge came through swiftly and in an honorable status.

Think of how wrong it would be to have a permanent damaging mark for taking care of your child who is in an adverse and unstable environment.