Nathanael Smith - President

Now, as a 41-year-old single father, I find myself grappling with the heart-wrenching reality of having my son taken away from me due to false and frivolous accusations from his mother. These accusations were meant to alienate me and sever the precious bond between father and son. My son has been the greatest blessing in my life, bringing joy and purpose to my days. I come from a deeply loving and old-fashioned family. Being the youngest of three siblings, we have always shared a bond of unconditional love, always looking out for one another. On December 7th, 1997, when I was just 15, my world was shattered. My mother, Donna Smith, and I, Nathanael Smith, were in a car crash. My mother died in my arms at the scene, her neck broken. We were incredibly close, and I proudly considered myself a "Momma's Boy." My mom was a spirited, fiery-haired hairdresser from California, while my dad was a Vietnam Vet and Engineer from Mississippi/Texas. He taught us to stand our ground and fight for what we believe in, no matter what. He also instilled in us a sense of questioning everything and a deep respect for women and children. At 17, my dad moved to Ireland for his mental health, a decision I understood and supported. Fast forward to 2016, I met an amazing woman, full of love and empathy. Tragically, she took her own life while we were downstairs in the house. This loss, along with my past, has shaped my empathy and strength. During this tumultuous time, I joined a 1% motorcycle club but left it to embrace fatherhood shortly before my son, Carter, was born. When Carter came into my life, I changed careers from an IT Consultant to a Mortgage Loan Officer, so I could work remotely and be there for my son. His mother and I had our disagreements, and a month before our planned wedding, she began to show controlling behavior. We split up, and I filed for half custody and paternity to protect my rights. Despite my efforts, the courts disregarded my evidence and believed her false claims. I started to feel like a second-class citizen, grateful for any time I could spend with my son. This was not the America I grew up in and loved. Determined to fight for my son, I taught myself Family Law, Federal Laws, Constitutional Law, and more. I met others facing similar challenges and, through relentless litigation, honed my legal skills to defend my son. Despite numerous violations from judges, I was never found to be an unfit parent, unlike his mother, who had a history of abuse. It became clear that the intent was to strip fathers of custody to maximize child support payments for the regional Child Support Agency. In response, I started a 501c4 nonprofit to stand up for what is right for my son and others who have been stripped of their fundamental rights. This is a fight I will never give up, dedicated to protecting the rights of others. Now, we are in a Federal Deprivation of Rights Lawsuit to get my son back and to hold those responsible accountable, seeking justice not just for us, but for all affected families. This is all for Carter and the other children taken from healthy parents. You are not alone. We are raising funds for this crucial lawsuit, and as a 501c4, we are committed to reforming the family court system in California. Know that you have a passionate and intelligent team at Fatherly Freedom, dedicated to protecting our next generation of leaders.