I am a volunteer translator-advocate for a friend. Her son used to have shared custody, but a couple of months ago, my friend went to family court to change this. Now my friend has custody but the father has visitation rights, for two days per week. The father may choose whichever days he likes. (He has an irregular, somewhat unpredictable work schedule.)
The father is upset about the change, and has stopped answering his phone. He doesn't respond to text messages either. He has not taken the initiative to have his son for a visit. He has not responded to a letter the boy dictated to me which we sent through the mail.
What is a succinct way of describing the fact that the father has, in essence, abandoned the child emotionally? (He is still paying child support.) I need a succinct description for the purposes of letting the child's school know, so they can be sensitive to the child's feelings. (He is relieved not to be living half-time with his father, who was abusive, but at the same time he is devastated at the total lack of contact.)