Nurse says ex-husband is keeping her from kids during COVID-19 pandemic

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — A Pierce County nurse said her ex-husband is keeping her from seeing her children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He filed court documents saying she’s a danger to their kids because of her job.

It’s been six weeks since Trisha Garcia last saw her 15-year-old son and her 13-year-old identical twin daughters.

Her children live in Island County with their father.

Last month, Garcia’s ex-husband’s attorney filed a motion to keep Garcia from her kids during the coronavirus pandemic.

"This is a time when children need both parents more than ever, when it’s such a scary unprecedented time. This is when they need the love and emotional support from both parents,” said Garcia.

Garcia’s a registered nurse at a Puyallup hospital.

"I should never be forced to choose between my career and my family,” she said.

The Law Office of Sandra E. Johnston filed the motion. KIRO 7 called and emailed, but didn’t hear back from the firm before deadline Friday.

According to court documents, Garcia’s ex-husband argued she’s “part of a high-risk group for COVID19 infection” and “it is no longer safe for us to exchange the children.”

“I did not feel like I was a risk at all working with surgical patients. I had not worked with any COVID-19 patients. I was not in direct care,” she said.

Garcia said Pierce County sided with her ex-husband, a decision that will keep her away from her kids during Washington’s stay-at-home order.

"It’s unimaginable that somebody could rule and discriminate against your profession, against the fact that you’re a nurse,” said Garcia.

She worries other essential workers will face similar consequences.

"We definitely don’t want to set a precedent in the courts that essential care workers should be separated from their families during this time,” she said.

Garcia talks to her kids on the phone every night.

“It’s scary. It’s scary for them too and not knowing when you’re going to see each other again. It’s just been really emotional just listening to them cry,” she said.

Garcia has no idea when she’ll be able to hug, hold and kiss her kids again.

"I just hope it’s sooner rather than later,” she said.

Garcia’s ex-husband filed a motion to seal the documents but included she could be granted make-up time once the governor cancels the state of emergency.

She’s scheduled to be back in court April 28.

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