My ex disappeared with my kids after meeting her new man

DEAR DEIDRE: Since my ex-girlfriend met her new partner, she has moved out of town and won’t let me see my kids. 

I am 39 and she is 36. The children, both girls, are nine and seven.

We split up quite acrimoniously two years ago. The girls live with my ex but used to stay with me on alternate weekends and during the school holidays.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to pick them up as normal but nobody answered the front door and my ex didn’t respond to any of my calls or texts.

It wasn’t until a couple of days later that I found out through the grapevine that she had met a man and moved across the country. The worst part is that I still don’t even know where.

After a few days of trying to get in touch, she finally answered the phone but told me that I couldn’t see the girls anymore. 

Since then I’ve been desperately trying to figure out where they are but all I’ve found are photographs of them on Facebook with my ex’s new man. 

For someone who’s only been around for a couple of weeks, not only does he appear to be too close to them, but he’s taking them out for days on their own.

I’m worried sick, but no matter who I talk to nobody is taking me seriously. 

All I want is to have my daughter’s back. Please help.

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DEIDRE SAYS: Your ex is selfish and her actions are hurting the children, as well as you.

You have a right to see them and they need their dad involved in their lives.  

Before you think about getting lawyers involved – and you can get free legal help from citizensadvice.org.uk – appeal to her sense of fairness and explain how bad this is for your children’s confidence and development.

My support pack When Parents Fall Out explains the impact this is having on them.

Families Need Fathers (fnf.org.uk) will also be able to advise you.