When False Accusations Hurt the Most: A Riverside Mother’s Fight for the Truth

Estimated Read Time: 3 Minutes
Reviewed by Attorney Nate Gjesdal
November 24, 2025

Some cases stay with you not because of their complexity, but because of the people at the center of them. Earlier this year, a mother in Riverside found herself living a nightmare she never imagined possible. Her young daughter had accused her of something she didn’t do: hurting her with a belt.

Within hours, everything she knew about her life as a parent changed.

She was terrified, confused, and feeling completely alone.

A Family Torn Apart Overnight

The accusation triggered a chain reaction:
• A visit from law enforcement
• Immediate child welfare involvement
• A criminal investigation into “child abuse”
• The risk of losing custody

The mother couldn’t make sense of how things had escalated so quickly. Her daughter had recently been spending time with extended relatives, and tensions in the family had been rising. Suddenly, a single statement had turned into a full-scale criminal case.

She needed help not just legal representation, but someone calm, strategic, and committed to clearing her name.

That’s when she found Attorney Nate Gjesdal.

Where Most Saw a Case, Nate Saw the Truth

Nate diligently listened and asked the right questions.
He reviewed every report, every statement, every inconsistency.
And the deeper he went, the more obvious it became: the story didn’t add up.

There were gaps in the timeline.
Contradictions in the child’s account.
Motivations from other adults in the picture that raised real concerns.

Rather than treating this as a simple "he-said, she-said," Nate built the defense step by step:

• Challenging flawed assumptions in the initial reports

• Gathering evidence that supported the mother’s innocence

• Highlighting inconsistencies in the accusations

• Working directly with the DA to show why the case should not proceed

The Breakthrough Moment

Months of fear, court dates, and uncertainty finally came to an end when the District Attorney decided not to file charges.

The relief on the mother’s face said everything. Truth had won and her family could finally start to heal.

False Accusations Are More Common Than People Think

Child abuse cases in Riverside and across Southern California are incredibly sensitive. And while many accusations are legitimate, false or exaggerated claims do occur often fueled by family conflict, custody disputes, or misunderstandings.

The consequences are life-changing:

• Criminal charges

• Protective orders

• Loss of custody

• Permanent damage to reputation

A strong defense AND swift action matters!

If You’re Facing a False Child Abuse Allegation, Don’t Wait

Nate has successfully helped parents across Riverside, Orange County, and Southern California navigate cases where the truth becomes buried under fear and assumptions.

If you’re facing accusations you know aren’t true or feel the case against you is missing real evidence, call or text Not Guilty Law at (714) 944-5536

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