After losing primary custody of their one-year old daughter Cai Bella Bridges in late January, the mother of Ludacris’ child Tamika Fuller, was recently set to appear in court to request a retrial.
However, after being denied a new hearing, Fuller issued a statement to Madame Noire detailing her current situation.
“Sadly, on April 9th the judge denied my motion for a new trial,” Fuller’s statement says. “Every day that passes when I don’t have my daughter feels like eternity. After being discouraged with the court system, I decided to share a personal account of my situation on Madame Noire, it was never meant as a media blitz but rather my side of the story in protest of my daughter being taken away when I felt powerless against her father’s machine. My side had not been shared up until this point and rumors that I was a bad mother or receiving 7k/month child support or asking for 15k were distressing me, none of which are factual. I’m back to working full time, but even that isn’t enough to cover the many expenses that come with this fight. I was hesitant to set up a Gofundme page but since my story ran I’ve received overwhelmingly supportive feedback from women and mothers across the country who have offered assistance and want to help with launching my organization. I plan to use donation money to start setting up my non-profit “No Mother Left Behind” with a mission to educate, enrich, enlighten and empower low income mothers and also to help bring my own daughter back. I’ve read and appreciate all the messages, prayers and similar stories that I’ve received. You have all made me feel less alone. We are all in this together. Thank you.”
The personal account Fuller is referring to in the statement above is an article titled, “A Pesonal Essay From Tamika Fuller… Fighting For My Daughter: Power, Wealth, And Hip-Hop.” It was posted to Madame Noire on April 8, the day before Fuller’s request of a new trial was denied.
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To read the story in its entirety, click here.
Speaking with the publication, Fuller’s lawyer Lisa West said that the deciding factor that led to Ludacris being granted sole custody of Cai was money.
“I believe the deciding factor was money: Ludacris has it; Tamika does not,” West says.
When asked about her basic argument for why Fuller should be granted custody, West says Fuller has been the primary parent of Cai, while Ludacris often delegates his parenting responsibilities to “third-parties.”
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“Tamika should be granted custody of Cai because the evidence is irrefutable and undisputed that she has always been the primary parent of Cai and has always been a wonderful parent to Cai,” West says. “Tamika, through great sacrifice and dedication, has dedicated her life to being Cai’s parent and Cai has thrived under her nurturing and care. Ludacris, on the other hand, has not dedicated his life to being Cai’s father. He is most often absent, making appearances, during which time he delegates his parenting responsibilities to third-parties.”
For additional Ludacris coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
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