In upstate NY. Haven't filed yet. No charges against me.

Last night, my STBX physically hit my 3-year-old daughter's stomach while I was out running an errand. She was crying and in pain when I got home. Yes, I recorded the audio of my daughter telling me what happened.

Today, my daughter would not eat - so I took her to the pediatrician. Without coaching, my daughter repeated what happened. The pediatrician told me that they would have to file with CPS. My daughter does not have bruises & is OK now, thankfully they took it seriously.

This afternoon, I interviewed with CPS and my STBX took off with the kids to their grandparents & declined to interview with CPS.

My lawyer advised that I file a restraining order against her based on her rageful violence against my child. This is not the first time that my STBX has been violent against my daughter or me, but never went as far as to hit my child.

I'm sleeping alone in this house for the first time ever tonight. Cortisol is flowing through my veins like rapids.

What can I expect to happen next and how should I prepare?