Godaddynotmom.com is a father's plea for help

John Carnley puts on the miles as he tries to raise money for his attorney's fees to gain custody of his daughter. Carnley is working out at Anytime Fitness in Kilgore. A Kilgore man has come up with a creative way to raise money to pay attorney fees to gain custody of his daughter.

John Carnley has posted a Web site online and an offer on eBay to ride 1,000 miles on a stationary bicycle to raise cash for a lawyer.

Carnley, 37, said during his divorce two years ago he lost custody of his daughter and now he's now trying to change that.

"My daughter is turning 12 and she wants to come and live with me," said Carnley. "But due to my financial status, fighting a court battle with my ex-wife is not possible."

Carnley said he and his daughter came up with the Web site godaddynotmom.com to help raise money for Carnley's legal fees to get child custody. He posted an auction listing on eBay on Friday, not long after his interview with the newspaper.

"I have pledged to walk or ride a stationary bike 1,000 miles in one month, along with my daughter and son, to raise money," said Carnley. "People can go to my Web site, which gives links to my other sites, and donate money which will be used to pay an attorney."

He said he is unemployed and lives on monthly Social Security disability payments.

"I have tried East Texas Legal Aide, but have gotten no response," said Carnley. "Originally my ex-wife said she would grant me custody, but at the last minute now says she will contest me getting custody of my daughter."

His ex-wife was contacted by this newspaper and she stated she was not aware of the Web site and any other response would have to go through her attorney.

"Lawyers are very expensive. I talked to one that said I would need a $2,500 retainer and expenses could go up from there," Carnley said.

The starting bid on eBay for item number 220446863289 is $500 and as of press time Tuesday, there were no bidders. The auction ends June 12 for seller "godaddynotmom."

If he should raise more than needed for the attorney, Carnley wrote on his Web site and eBay listing that the donations will go for "our home" and "a family vacation to celebrate. It will not be elaberate (sic) we will go to Galveston or something like that."

He said updates and photos will be posed on www.facebook.com (username godaddynotmom ), www.myspace.com (godaddynotmom) and on www.twitter.com (godaddy notmom).

Carnley said his usernames came about after his daughter saw a GoDaddy.com commercial and said, "Dad we can use go daddy not mom."

Carnley said he has started his exercise fundraising quest with the help of Anytime Fitness in Kilgore.

"The store owner has granted me use of the equipment for free during the 30-day period and his employees are keeping track of my mileage," said Carnley.

Anyone wanting to ask questions can email him at godaddynotmom@aol.com.

"I will also be posting updates on my progress on my Web site and people are also welcomed to stop by Anytime Fitness and see me work out," said Carnley.

He said Texas law states when children turn 12, they can decide which parent they want to live with "and my daughter wants to live with me," Carnley added.