NJ Dad: I Was Denied Custody Of Son For Being Muslim
PATERSON, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A New Jersey father says he's being denied custody of his young son solely because he's a Muslim.
At a news conference Tuesday, Muhammed Khalil told reporters including 1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg that a Division of Youth and Family Services worker unleashed a barrage of insults at him in a crowded Paterson restaurant.
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1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports
Khalil, a green card holder originally from Egypt, said the case worker asked him "where is your knife? You'll slit my throat" and also asked "where is your bomb strapped on you?"
Another Muslim woman, Sandy Dahmra, who was with Khalil at the restaurant, was allegedly told "go back to your country."
Both Khalil and Dahmra said they had other comments directed toward them including "terrorist," "Bin Laden lover" and "why don't you call your Allah."
The case worker also publicly declared he would never get his boy back, Khalil said.
Khalil has not seen his 6-year-old son since he was taken from his mother's home a year ago and placed with foster parents for reasons unknown because of privacy laws. Khalil was not living there at the time and is separated from the boy's mother.
Khalil wants an investigation and said the worker also violated privacy laws by disclosing the case in public. Ultimately, though, Khalil said he just wants his little boy back.
"I only want my son. I want my son," he said, breaking into tears. "I think I have all the reason to have my son with me, give him toys, enjoy with him."
Khalil claimed he has had run-ins with the case worker before, but that there were never any witnesses.
The Department of Children and Families said it was "aware of the alleged incident" and "is looking into this allegation."
The agency said it "continues to have an ongoing dialogue" with CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations), which is supporting Khalil in his fight.