N.H. Mother Fights AWOL Charges

[Raineyrocks]

N.H. Mother Fights AWOL Charges During Custody Battle
National Guard Member Leaves Iraq To Resolve Child Custody Issue

POSTED: 5:20 pm EDT June 7, 2007
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RINDGE, N.H. -- An Army National Guard specialist from Rindge is fighting to avoid jail time after going AWOL to take care of her 7-year-old daughter.

Spc. Lisa Hayes served two tours in Iraq. She took leaves of absence to try to resolve a custody issue with her daughter, Brystal, but when she couldn't get her leave extended longer, she went AWOL in March.

Family friends said that Hayes didn't feel like she had a choice.

"Lisa's a soldier -- she's proven that," friend Jim Jeffries said. "A decorated veteran, she served two terms in Iraq. She didn't want to go this direction. She was forced into doing this."

In media reports, Hayes' lawyer said that she learned while overseas about domestic abuse charges in her ex-husband's home, where her daughter was living. Hayes asked for an emergency leave from Iraq to deal with the custody issues, but while the civilian courts dragged their feet, the military's clock was ticking.

"It has been awful," friend Karen Jeffries said. "It's been an emotional roller coaster for her and the whole family."

The army gave Hayes extensions, but the battle at home wasn't over when she was called back to the battle in Iraq. But she never showed up.

Hayes brought her story to the media, saying, "I feel like I'm torn between doing what's right, which is being here for my daughter, and what I have to do, which is being in the military."

"Lisa went onto a flagged AWOL/deserter list, which meant if a policeman pulled her over for having a headlight out, it would pop up to arrest her on the spot," Karen Jeffries said.

Hayes turned herself in at Fort Dix, N.J., this week. Her surrender was accompanied by a call for help from U.S. Rep Paul Hodes.

As of Thursday, her AWOL charges were dismissed, and the military that once denied her request is now helping her fill out paperwork for a hardship separation discharge.

Hayes could return to New Hampshire as early as this weekend, and she would then wait for word on the outcome of her case.

[Lloyd Danforth]

She got the Paris Hilton deal.  I had to go thru a bunch of AWOL's, courtsmartials and jail before they kicked me out

[PinoX7]

The army gave Hayes extensions, but the battle at home wasn't over when she was called back to the battle in Iraq. But she never showed up.

Failure to deploy, or Not showing up for a deployment is considered desertion, its not really AWOL it carries harder charges.

[Lloyd Danforth]

More than 30 days AWOL is considered Desertion.