Publish Date: March 20, 2007

　　YOUNG MOTHER IS FRIGHTENED BY THREAT OF LOST CUSTODY

DEAR ABBY:

　　I am 22 years old and have been married 17 months. "Derek" and I have a23-month-old son. Derek hasn't worked for about a year and refuses to helpsupport our family. He also belittles me whenever he talks to me. I am not happyin this marriage, but I am not sure what to do about it.

　　On our honeymoon, Derek told me if I ever porced him that he'd make surehe would get custody of our son.And his mom already said that she would tell thejudge that I was an unfit mother.

　　My son is my world, Abby. He doesn't even let his daddy hold him, so I knowhe wouldn't be better off with Derek. But because I am on disability, I don'tknow if I have a good chance of getting custody if I leave. I don't feel Derekloves me or my son.

　　What should I do? Stick it out with my husband or take the chance of losingmy son?

　　-- TRAPPED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE