Ex Took Kids Out Of State And Has An Injunction

Location: Florida I do not have custody in place with my ex, not married. I lived on one end of the family home since November. By March, he was working out of town (supposedly) and his mother came to help me watch our kids. I got a call from him on her phone one day, cursing me out and saying he would take the kids out of state saying I’m abusive. I hung up and called police, who called him saying he would need to return with the kids or it would be kidnapping going over state lines.

The police saw it was tense to be around each other and I had an option (family called it in) to go to a motel for the night since once of us had to leave, but it’s both our residence. I left, telling the officer my room number for DCF. Dcf didn’t contact me, I stayed away trying to work and sort custody with court let alone to file an injunction. My kids without me knowing went with my ex and his mom to her house, out of state. I’m in Florida, they are in Ohio. Since 4/6.

Dcf never contacted me (ex said I abandoned the kids, didn’t know where I was) for a month. It was closed but he made what allegations I believe he saw would show me as unfit. In the last month, I got an injunction against him that passed as dv with minor children. We have mediation next month. I know it’ll go to trial (he’s broke and arguing he’s not broke but also has a stable home $ in Ohio away from the bad mom.)

I have no idea what advice I’m asking for. I’m burnt out working and half the time teaching myself something new about my rights paternity etc. Any advice? I have local resources and plan to keep consulting with attorneys. Would the kids being out of state only a few months still affect their state of residence? Will the injunction help me? I just want custody of my kids, even 50/50 but I don't want to relocate...our everything is here.