Lotus Brown

When Lotus Brown* was wrongfully incarcerated in 2019, she was forced to make a heartbreaking decision: to place her sons, Milton* and Phoenix*, in the sole custody of their fathers. Through her incarceration, time at a halfway house, and even after she returned home, Milton’s father refused to allow contact—demanding money and sex in exchange for access to their son. For years, Ms. Brown endured this abuse, all while working to rebuild her life and bring her family back together. In 2023, after Milton disclosed abuse and his father threatened Ms. Brown’s life, she turned to Legal Aid DC for help. With the support of attorney Melanie Sandler, she secured a Civil Protection Order and began the challenging legal process of regaining custody. Through documented progress in drug treatment, therapy, and establishing a safe and stable home, Ms. Brown demonstrated her commitment to her children’s well-being. Following a court-ordered DNA test that confirmed her legal rights, she was awarded full custody of Milton. Now that Milton, Phoenix, and their new baby brother Samuel have been reunited, Ms. Brown is focused on healing and building a stable future for her family—determined to ensure that her children grow up safe, supported, and surrounded by love.

Read Ms. Brown's full story here

*Ms. Brown's name has been changed to protect her privacy