When Good People Are Cast as Villains

Standing Up for Children While the World Looks the Other Way.

In 2022, Zoe and I opened our home to my two children after they were formally removed from their birth mother’s care by social services. For legal reasons, I must be clear: this post does not allege criminal guilt. Any names referenced are used only where public documentation exists or where individuals have already self-identified publicly in connection to this situation. Certain details have been withheld due to ongoing investigations.

That said, facts matter. The local authority removed the children from a home environment deemed unsafe. The birth mother acknowledged concerns in meetings with social services. While the police investigation is ongoing, no formal charges have yet been brought to our knowledge - but we continue to fully cooperate, and we sincerely hope action is taken to protect all children involved.

Zoe and I stepped up - not because we had to, but because it was the right thing to do.

We’ve taken the children to therapy. To classes. To the beach,To Ashdown forest and a lot of other places. We’ve wiped tears and been hit with sobering, shocking disclosures that would break most people. Zoe, who had no obligation to take this on, cried for children who weren’t biologically hers - but are now hers in every way that matters.

Instead of support, we’ve been labelled villains. Judged. Shouted at. Called names. Cars have been driven at us. We’ve been threatened - even on holiday. Spat at in public. Why? Because we told the truth - and that truth challenged someone else's version of events.

We’ve had family members turn their backs. Some actively stabbed us in the back. All because of lies and manipulation. The children’s older sister, who both children disclosed had hurt them emotionally and physically, has since painted herself as a victim and abused both myself, Zoe and my brother with unhinged rants - when her actions told a different story. Again, to be clear: these are not unverified allegations made lightly, but statements made directly by both children in front of friends with safeguarding processes followed.

And yet, we’re the ones under scrutiny.

One of the most painful parts of this journey is that the same person who now denies everything - who gaslit both us and our children - was, according to official documentation, the individual who first reported her own mother to social services after an argument over money. That documentation, which was never meant to be disclosed, mistakenly included her name. And while we are not sharing that report here, it exists, and it is real.

Despite all of this, she continues to seek sympathy while showing no remorse. She has manipulated, lied, and twisted the truth so effectively that even when we provide evidence, people still choose to believe her.

Let me say this:

To offend a strong man, tell him a lie. To offend a weak man, tell him the truth.

The two adults did just that - They lied. They lied to Zoe and me, they lied to my family and their friends. But worse - they lied to my children.

We are not the bad guys here. We are not perfect - but we have done the hard, thankless job that too many others ran away from. And we did it alone.

Social services made promises - promises of ongoing support, check-ins, guidance. Families First said the same. But they all disappeared. No practical help. No real contact. They are excellent at spending public money and writing reports. But when families like ours actually need them? They vanish.

Every single day, we carry the load.

We make sure the kids are in school every day unless there is a legitimate reason not to be. And yes, sometimes we take them out during term time - but only when their mental health absolutely needs a break. And fair play to the school - they understand. They authorise those days, because they see what we’re dealing with. We don’t abuse the system. We do what’s best for two children who’ve already been through hell.

We’ve even set up a Facebook page and a YouTube channel. Not for attention. But so the kids can look back one day and see proof they had a childhood. That they were loved. That someone fought for them.

Yet still… we’re hated. Judged. Called cruel - for giving children safety and love.

We know the law must run its course, and we respect that. We know everyone has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. But that doesn’t mean we have to stay silent while lies are spread and our family is torn apart by cruelty and hypocrisy.

What we write here is not reckless - it is truthful, documented, and backed by professionals, therapists, school, and official correspondence. We will not name individuals beyond what has already been self-identified, and we will not publish confidential information.

But we will say this:

The truth offends people. Especially those who’ve lived too long behind a mask.

And while others talk, we act.
While others hide, we protect.
While others lie, we love.

So let them talk. Let them spread hate. We’re not here for their approval.
We’re here for the children.

And one day, when our kids are grown and someone asks them,
"Who fought for you?"
They’ll answer:
"They did."

Once this is all over I will post everything and I mean everything, My children deserve better!

If you see a child in need please contact the NSPCC - help@nspcc.org.uk - 0808 800 5000

Stop Child Abuse