I have a cousin who has three children, two of which are with her most recent ex. According to her, her ex has taken them to his mums and won't physically let her see them. She says that because she has pressed assault and abuse charges against him, she's been advised not to go to his mums, but she says the police refuse to send an officer with her to help physically get them. She says she still has parental responsibility but her solicitor has advised her that due to her having a criminal case against him, it could take 1-3 years until she sees them back in her care. In her mind, she's not seeing them for 1-3 years. Does this sound true for cases like this? To me it seems far too long. She said social visited him and had no concerns about him but she's pressed these charges so feels they should be with her. The reason I don't instantly believe her is that she does have a lying issue due to adoption trauma and I try to be as sympathetic as possible due to this and have been nothing but supportive emotionally to her and haven't questioned the validity of this once, however she lost custody of her first child due to not being capable and at the time maintained that everything was fine and there was no reason for her first Dc not to be with her. She lied to us then about the circumstances. I want to be as supportive as I can be, but it feels futile if she's not being honest. AIBU to ask if this sounds legitimate time wise and the fact that they haven't been returned to her care via court order or police? I feel so sorry for her 