>>> TONIGHT, THE MAJOR TURNING POINT IN THE COVID PANDEMIC IN THE U.S. THE CDC RELAXING ITS MASK GUIDELINES. THE CDC SAYS FULLY VACCINATED AMERICANS CAN GO WITHOUT MASKS OR SOCIAL DISTANCING IN MOST PLACES, INDOORS AND OUTDOORS. IT IS A SHARP REVERSAL FROM PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS. THE MOVE AIMED TO BOOST VACCINATIONS. TONIGHT THE EXCEPTIONS. WHO SHOULD STILL MASK UP AND WHERE. DR. FAUCI IS HERE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS. >>> BREAKING NEWS, THE MIDDLE EAST, ISRAEL BEGINNING A GROUND OPERATION NEAR GAZA AFTER DAYS OF AIR STRIKES AND ROCKET ATTACKS. MOBS CLASHING. PEOPLE BEATEN IN THE STREETS. THE TOLL RISING. DOZENS KILLED INCLUDING 17 CHILDREN. >>> THE MASSIVE RANSOM NEARLY $5 MILLION PAID TO HACKERS WHO SHUT DOWN THE LARGEST PIPELINE IN THE U.S. THE FUEL FLOWING ONCE AGAIN. PRESIDENT BIDEN URGING AMERICANS TO BE PATIENT. A HUMMER BURSTING INTO FLAMES AFTER THE DRIVER REPORTEDLY FILLED SEVERAL GAS CONTAINERS. >>> THE NEW RULING, WHY THE TRIAL OF THREE FORMER OFFICERS IS DELAYED FOR MONTHS. >>> OUR NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION, PARENTS ACCUSING THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM OF IGNORING ALLEGATIONS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE IN CUSTODY BATTLES. >>> SHE'S HEADED OFF TO COLLEGE AND SHE IS ONLY 12 YEARS OLD. >>> THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH LESTER HOLT. >> GOOD EVENING. ARE YOU READY TO LOSE THE MASK? IN A TURNING POINT OF THE COUNTRY'S PANDEMIC RESPONSE THE HEAD OF THE CDC ANNOUNCED LATE TODAY NEW GUIDELINES THAT ALLOW THE FULLY VACCINATED TO LEAVE THEIR MASKS OFF IN MOST SETTINGS. OUTDOORS AND INDOORS. IT'S THE NEWS WE HAVE HOPED FOR FOR OVER A YEAR AND YET THERE ARE MIXED REACTIONS TONIGHT. AMERICANS WONDERING IF THEY'RE READY TO DROP THE VIRUS DEFENSE THE MASK HAS PROVIDED AND IF THE DECISION WAS PERHAPS RUSHED, A RESPONSE TO BUILDING PRESSURE FROM CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC BUT OFFICIALS SAY IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE VACCINES. AT LEAST ONE DOSE IN THE ARMS OF OVER 152 MILLION AMERICAN ADULTS. TONIGHT PRESIDENT BIDEN CALLING THIS A GREAT DAY. WE HAVE A LOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT. LET'S START WITH MIGUEL ALMAGUER. >> Reporter: TONIGHT THE NEW FACE OF THE PANDEMIC IS NOW ONE WITHOUT A MASK. THE CDC'S GROUND SHIFTING CHANGE IMPACTING THE 117 MILLION FULLY VACCINATED AMERICANS WHO WILL NO LONGER NEED TO PHYSICALLY DISTANCE OR WEAR A MASK. OUTDOORS OR INDOORS. >> WE HAVE ALL LONGED FOR THIS MOMENT. >> Reporter: THE DRAMATIC CULTURE SHIFT BY FAR THE BIGGEST RESTRICTION ROLLBACK AND ALSO A MAJOR INCENTIVE FOR THE ROUGHLY 130 MILLION IN THIS COUNTRY WHO QUALIFY TO BE VACCINATED BUT ARE NOT. >> TWO WEEKS AFTER YOUR LAST DOSE YOU CAN SHED YOUR MASK. >> Reporter: STILL WITH COVID COMES CAVEATS. THE NEW MASKLESS GUIDELINES DO NOT APPLY TO THOSE PARTIALLY OR NOT AT ALL VACCINATED. THE CDC ALSO SAYS IF YOU'RE IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SETTING, ON AN AIRPLANE OR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, OR IN A BUSINESS THAT REQUIRES A MASK, YOU MUST WEAR ONE WITHOUT EXCEPTION. >> DO YOU HAVE YOUR VAX CARD? >> Reporter: ACROSS THE COUNTRY MOST BUSINESSES INCLUDING GROCERY STORES, MALLS AND COFFEE SHOPS MANDATE MASKS. CHANGES MAY NOT COME OVERNIGHT. MOST ESTABLISHMENTS FOLLOW STATE AND LOCAL RESTRICTIONS WHO WILL LIKELY IMPLEMENT THE NEW SHIFTING POLICY ON THEIR OWN TIMELINE. >> THE RULE IS VERY SIMPLE. GET VACCINATED OR WEAR A MASK UNTIL YOU DO. >> Reporter: WITH VACCINATIONS DOWN 42% SINCE PEAKING A MONTH AGO HESITANCY REMAINS A MAJOR PROBLEM. TO PUMP UP SLUMPING NUMBERS SOME STATES TAKING INCENTIVES TO A NEW LEVEL. LESTER SPEAKING TO OHIO'S GOVERNOR WHO'S HANDING OUT $1 MILLION TO 5 VACCINATED RESIDENTS IN A STATE DRAWING. >> THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO WE THINK CAN BE PERSUADED AND SOME OF THEM MAY LIKE THE IDEA THAT THEY CAN WIN A MILLION DOLLARS. >> Reporter: FOR THOSE NOT CONVINCED THE CDC DAYS THE THREAT REMAINS REAL FOR THE UNVACCINATED. >> YOU REMAIN AT RISK OF MILD OR SEVERE ILLNESS, OF DEATH OR SPREADING THE DISEASE TO OTHERS. YOU SHOULD STILL MASK AND GET VACCINATED RIGHT AWAY. >> I WILL IN A SECOND IF IT MEANS I DON'T HAVE TO WEAR A MASK. >> Reporter: THE CDC'S SUDDEN CHANGE COMES TWO DAYS AFTER A GRILLING ON CAPITOL HILL OVER CONFUSING RESTRICTIONS. >> THE AMERICAN PEOPLE JUST LOST PATIENCE WITH US. >> Reporter: THE AGENCY FACED PRESSURE TO EASE MANDATES AS NEW INFECTIONS PLUMMET. NOW THE NATION TAKING A MAJOR STEP FORWARD. AN ABOUT FACE ON FACE MASKS FOR THE VACCINATED. TONIGHT STATES LIKE WASHINGTON, OREGON AND MICHIGAN DEALING WITH COVID HOT SPOTS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE. IN REGIONS WHERE CASES ARE A PROBLEM THOSE FACE MASK MANDATES MAY NOT GO AWAY ANY TIME SOON. LESTER? >> THANK YOU. >>> AMERICANS GREETING NEWS OF THIS MAJOR CHANGE IN A RANGE OF REACTIONS. MANY EXCITED TO GET BACK TO A SENSE OF NORMALCY. OTHERS CAUTIOUS WITH QUESTIONS. STEPHANIE GOSK HAS THAT PART OF THE STORY. >> Reporter: IF YOU GET THE SHOT YOU BASICALLY CAN DITCH THE MASK. NEARLY EVERYWHERE THE CDC SAYS AND MANY AMERICANS TELLING US TONIGHT THEY'RE READY. >> I GUESS WE CAN TAKE THEM OFF, RIGHT? THAT'S GREAT. I HAVEN'T HEARD THIS AND I'M EXCITED. >> I THINK IT IS A RELIEF AND EVERYONE IS EXCITED TO GET BACK TO NORMALITY. >> Reporter: AFTER MONTHS AND MONTHS EMPHASIZING THAT MASKS SAVE LIVES SUCH AN ABRUPT SHIFT IN GUIDANCE MAY CREATE SOME ANXIETY. >> I'M NOT READY YET TO TAKE IT OFF. >> IT JUST HAPPENED SO I'LL GIVE IT A COUPLE DAYS TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND EVENTUALLY I WILL. >> THERE'S A HUGE PART OF ME THAT'S STILL VERY CAUTIOUS AND WANTS TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR MY FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY. >> I'M NERVOUS THAT PEOPLE INCLUDING MY OWN PATIENTS ARE GOING TO BE NOT ONLY CONFUSED BUT ALSO FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD STILL WARE MASKS BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEY TRUST THE PERSON NEXT TO THEM. >> Reporter: CREATING SUCH A SHARP DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED WILL COMPLICATE RULES FOR BUSINESS OWNERS. THERE'S NO EASY WAY TO PROVE THE STAFF OR CUSTOMERS ARE FULLY VACCINATED. ALMOST EVERYWHERE WE GO INDOORS THERE IS A REQUIREMENT OF MASKS. IT IS A MOST CONTENTIOUS ISSUE OF THIS PANDEMIC. THERE MAY NOW BE AN EXPECTATION THAT THINGS WILL CHANGE BUT ROLLING BACK THE RULES COULD END UP BEING JUST AS DIFFICULT AS ROLLING THEM OUT. LESTER? >> ALL RIGHT. STEPHANIE, THANK YOU. >>> FOR GREATER CLARITY IN ALL THIS I SPOKE A SHORT TIME WITH DR. FAUCI. DR. FAUCI, A LOT OF AMERICANS PUT A LOT OF TRUST AND FAITH IN YOU. MY FIRST QUESTION IS OF A PERSONAL NATURE. DO YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS MASK DECISION TODAY? WOULD YOU HAVE PREFERRED THAT YOU WAIT A BIT LONGER? >> NO. ACTUALLY, LEGS LESTER, I FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT IT AND VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF IT. PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED NOW THEY REALLY DO NEED TO GET THE FEEL THAT WE ARE APPROACHING SOME FORM OF NORMALITY AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT FELT QUITE ABNORMAL AND DIFFERENT TO THE WAY THEY LIKE TO FEEL IS THAT OUTDOORS YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE BREEZE BLOWING AND VERY LITTLE CHANCE OF ANYTHING HAPPENING. INDOORS IS STILL QUITE SAFE. IF YOU'RE VACCINATED THE DATA THAT'S ACCUMULATED NOW ABOUT THE REAL WORLD EFFECTIVENESS OF A VACCINE REALLY MAKES THE RISK OF GETTING INFECTED EXTRAORDINARILY LOW AND IF YOU DO THE RISK OF SERIOUS DISEASE IS EVEN LOWER. >> IT WAS ONLY A FEW WEEKS AGO WE WERE SHOWN COLOR CODED CHARTS WITH WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU'RE VACCINATED OR UNVACCINATED AND BOTTOM LINE IS FOR THE VACCINATED YOU STILL SHOULDN'T GO AROUND BIG CROWDS INDOORS. WHAT'S CHANGED IN THOSE ENSUING WEEKS? >> THAT'S A REAL GOOD QUESTION AND WHAT THE CDC DELIBERATED ON THAT TRIGGERED THE DECISION. WE HAVE HAD NOW A SUBSTANTIAL DIMINUTION IN THE NUMBER OF DAILY CASES BY ABOUT ONE THIRD OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEK JUST THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF PAPERS THAT HAVE COME OUT THAT HAVE SHOWN THE EXTRAORDINARY REAL WORLD EFFICACY OF THE VACCINE AT EVERY LEVEL, AT EVERY AGE UNDER EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE SO LITERALLY OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS OUR SUSPICION IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT THAT THIS IS A VACCINE THAT REALLY, REALLY WORKS VERY WELL AND WE ARE SEEING THE RESULT OF A SUBSTANTIAL DIMINUTION OF CASE JUST THAT TRIGGERED THE DECISION BY THE CDC. >> AS A FULLY VACCINATED PERSON SHOULD WE HAVE ANY WORRIES ABOUT WALKING BY SOMEONE ON THE STREET WHO MAY BE UNVACCINATED? >> NONE AT ALL. I WOULD HAVE NO CONCERN WALKING DOWN THE STREET PAST A PERSON WHO'S NOT BEEN VACCINATED. AND EVEN A PERSON WHO'S BEEN INFECTED BECAUSE THE PROTECTION IS REALLY QUITE SUBSTANTIAL. >> THERE ARE PARENTS RIGHT NOW WHO ARE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS WONDERING ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN UNDER 12 SO WHAT HAPPENS? MOM AND DAD FULLY VACCINATED CAN TAKE OFF THEIR MASKS AND THE CHILD WILL HAVE TO WEAR ONE INSIDE AND OUT? >> NO, NOT OUTSIDE. IF YOU LOOK AT CHILDREN OUTSIDE PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY WERE WITH THE FAMILY, WALKING DOWN THE STREET, PLAYING A GAME OR WHAT HAVE YOU, DON'T HAVE TO WEAR A MASK. IF THEY'RE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY'RE IN A CROWD OBVIOUSLY YOU WANT THEM TO WEAR A MASK. BUT AGAIN, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN 12 YEARS OLD AND LESS BECAUSE 12 TO 15 AS YOU KNOW NOW CAN GET THE PFIZER VACCINE AND WE ARE ENCOURAGING THEM THAT THEY DO. >> I ASKED DR. FAUCI IF THERE WAS ANY OUTSIDE PRESSURE POLITICAL OR OTHERWISE BEHIND THE NEW GUIDELINES AND HE SAID THERE WAS NONE. YOU CAN MAKE A PLAN TO GET VACCINATED. VISIT PLAN YOUR VACCINE.COM FOR MORE. >>> IN JUST 60 SECONDS, MILLIONS PAID >>> THE CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS INTENSIFYING TONIGHT. THERE'S LATE WORD ISRAEL IS BEGINNING A GROUND OPERATION AGAINST HAMAS, PLUS RIOTING ESCALATED IN ISRAELI CITIES. MOLLY HUNTER NOW WITH LATE DETAILS. WE HAVE TO WARN YOU. SOME OF THESE IMAGES ARE DIFFICULT TO WATCH. >> Reporter: TONIGHT THE ISRAELI AIR FORCE LIGHTING UP THE SKIES. POUNDING THE GAZA STRIP WHILE HAMAS FIRED ALMOST 2,000 ROCKETS FROM GAZA INTO ISRAELI TERRITORY. SOME EVEN BREAKING THROUGH THE IRON DOME DEFENSE SYSTEM. AMERICAN-ISRAELI NEAR TEL AVIV RUNS TO THE BOMB SHELTER HEARING SIRENS. >> WE FEEL REALLY SAFE IN HERE. >> Reporter: IN ALL SEVEN ISRAELIS HAVE BEEN KILLED. INCLUDING A CHILD AND A SOLDIER. BUT IN GAZA PALESTINIANS HAVE NOWHERE SAFE TO RUN. 12-YEAR-OLD BARA CALLS OUT DADDY. FATHER AND BROTHER KILLED TUESDAY. TODAY HE TOLD US OUR LIVES ARE TOTALLY CHANGED. MORE THAN 100 PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED INCLUDING 27 CHILDREN. AND NOW THE VIOLENCE IS SPILLING INTO THE STREETS, A CHALLENGE FOR ISRAEL NOT SEEN FOR TWO DECADES. IT'S NEIGHBOR VERSUS NEIGHBOR IN MIXED ISRAELI CITIES BETWEEN PALESTINIAN CITIZENS OF ISRAEL AND ISRAELI RESIDENTS. AN ULTRA NATIONAL MOB BEATING AN ARAB DRIVER UNCONSCIOUS. >> SOMETHING ABOUT AN ARMED POPULATION. THEY'RE PROTECTED BY THE POLICE. SO OF COURSE SCARY. I HAVE TWO KIDS. >> Reporter: HE IS A PALESTINIAN RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF LOD. TONIGHT UNDER MILITARY CURFEW. AS THE SUN WENT DOWN TODAY MUSLIMS MARKED THE END OF RAMADAN AND HEART BROKEN FAMILIES IN ISRAEL AND IN GAZA BURYING THEIR DEAD WITH NO END IN SIGHT. RIGHT NOW ISRAEL IS ATTACKING GAZA NOT ONLY IN THE AIR BUT ON THE GROUND WITH TANKS AND ARTILLERY. LESTER? >> ALL RIGHT. MOLLY, THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE. >>> WE HAVE LEARNED THE OPERATORS OF CRIPPLED FUEL PIPELINE PAID MILLIONS TO REGAIN CONTROL OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN BY HACKERS AND AFTER DAYS OF SHORTAGES STATIONS ARE BEGINNING TO GET FUEL DELIVERIES. NBC'S TOM LLAMAS IS IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA. >> Reporter: THE GAS IS FLOWING AND THE FEAR IS FADING. >> I'M LIKE SUPER HAPPY. >> SEEING THE TRUCK OVER HERE. I SAID, THANK YOU, GOD. >> Reporter: THIS AS NBC NEWS HAS LEARNED COLONIAL PIPELINE PAID NEARLY $5 MILLION IN RANSOM TO HACKERS WHICH INFILTRATED THE SYSTEM WHICH LED TO THE SHUTDOWN. THAT SPARKING PANIC BUYING AND MASSIVE OUTAGES. IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, THIS HUMMER UP IN FLAME JUST THE DRIVER JUST FILLED SEVERAL CONTAINERS LOADED IN THE BACK. NOW THE COLONIAL PIPELINE IS SERVICING ALL OF ITS MARKETS. BUT PRESIDENT BIDEN WARNING -- >> WE'LL NOT FEEL THE EFFECTS AT THE PUMP IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS NOT LIKE FLICKING ON A LIGHT SWITCH. >> Reporter: WE WERE THERE AS A FUEL TRUCK PULLED UP TO FILL UP A GAS STATION THAT HAD RUN DRY. >> I HAD PEOPLE FOLLOW ME FROM GAS STATIONS WHERE I'M GOING TO ANOTHER GAS STATION. >> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THAT CYBER ATTACK PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WILL LAY OUT STRICTER STANDARDS FOR ANY SOFTWARE SOLD TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND AN INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAM TO LOOK AT THE MAJOR CYBER ATTACKS. LESTER? >> THANK YOU. >>> THE TRIAL OF THREE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD IS DELAYED. THE JUDGE PUSHED IT FROM AUGUST TO MARCH OF 2022 TO GIVE IT SPACE FROM THE SENTENCING OF DEREK CHAUVIN ON JUNE 25th. >>> NEXT FOR US TONIGHT NBC NEWS INVESTIGATING, JUDGES GRANTING CHILD C >>> NOW TO OUR NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION OF HOW CUSTODY JUDGES IN THIS COUNTRY DEAL WITH ALLEGATIONS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE. AN INCREASINGLY ORGANIZED GROUP OF PARENTS MAINLY MOTHERS SAY THE PLEAS TO PROTECT THE KIDS FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOR WERE IGNORED. HERE'S SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT KATE SNOW. >> SOCCER, PLAYED RIGHT HERE. >> Reporter: CATHY SHERLOCK'S DAUGHTER CADEN GREW UP OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA. >> SHE WAS JUST LOVED, SHE WAS LOVING. SHE EXCELLED AT EVERYTHING. >> Reporter: CATHY LEFT CADENCE'S FATHER WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD. WAS HE ABUSIVE TOWARD YOU? >> YEAH. SMASHED ME IN THE FACE WITH A BOTTLE. >> Reporter: SEVERAL TIMES SHE SAYS HE TRIED TO STRANGLE HER. >> HE HELD ME UP AGAINST THE DOOR LIKE THAT HERE AND I REMEMBER BEING LIKE THIS IS IT. LIKE I'M GOING TO DIE. >> Reporter: SHE SAID SHE WAS AFRAID TO FILE POLICE REPORTS BUT YEARS LATER WHEN THE FATHER PUSHED FOR JOINT CUSTODY SHE WANTED THE FAMILY COURT JUDGE TO PAY ATTENTION TO HIS HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. >> HE NEEDS TO BE SUPERVISED UNTIL HE CAN GET HELP. >> Reporter: WHAT DID THE JUDGE THINK OF THAT IDEA OF SUPERVISED VISITATION? >> HE JUST IGNORED IT. >> Reporter: IN MAY OF 2018 THE JUDGE IN THE CASE ISSUED A CUSTODY ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE, AGGRESSION AND ILLEGAL BEHAVIORS FATHER DID NOT EXPRESS ANY REMORSE OR REGRET. NOR DID HE ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONDUCT. BUT THE JUDGE GRANTED THE FATHER UNSUPERVISED VISITS. LESS THAN THREE MONTHS LATER, CADEN'S FATHER BEAT CATHY'S LITTLE GIRL TO DEATH AND THEN TOOK HIS OWN LIFE. >> HOW MANY PEOPLE DID I HAVE TO BEG FOR HELP? HOW MANY PEOPLE DID IT TAKE? DIDN'T WORK. >> Reporter: A JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT COMPLAINT ABOUT THE JUDGE WAS DISMISSED BY A STATE PANEL. THAT JUDGE CALLED THE MURDER A TRAGEDY THAT COULD BE UTILIZED AS A TEACHABLE MOMENT FOR THE PUBLIC AND THE COURT TOLD NBC NEWS THE DECISION IN THE CASE WAS MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH PENNSYLVANIA LAW. >> PARENTS ARE GOING THROUGH A BITTER. >> HE LIVED HERE WITH HIS DAD WE'RE TOLD. >> Reporter: SADLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY CHILDREN HAVE DIED FOLLOWING CUSTODY BATTLES. >> A MOTHER ACCUSED OF KILLING THREE YOUNG CHILDREN. >> DROWNING THE BOY DURING A COURT-ORDERED VISIT IN OCTOBER. HIS MOTHER SAYS THOSE VISITS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. >> THESE ISSUES ARE ABOUT PEOPLE. >> Reporter: JUDGE RAMONA GONZALEZ IS A FAMILY COURT JUDGE WHO FOUGHT FOR CHANGE IN CONGRESS. >> THIS IS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE YOU WOULD THINK THAT IF A CHILD'S IN DANGER, MIGHT BE ABUSED, OF COURSE A JUDGE WOULDN'T PUT THE CHILD IN THAT SITUATION. >> BUT YOU HAVE TO PROVE THAT THE CHILD IS AT RISK BECAUSE YOU HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO BE A PARENT. FAMILY LAW IS BASED UPON PARENTS BEING ABLE TO EQUALLY PARENT THEIR CHILDREN. >> Reporter: WHEN THERE ARE ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE SHE SAYS LAWYERS SOMETIMES ADVISE PARENTS NOT TO BRING IT UP. >> THERE ARE LAWYERS WHO WILL SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO MENTION THE ABUSE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T CORROBORATE IT AND IT WILL IMPACT THE JUDGE'S VIEW ON YOUR CREDIBILITY ON OTHER ISSUES. >> Reporter: BECAUSE THE JUDGE MIGHT THEN SEE THEM AS A PROBLEMATIC PARENT WHO DOESN'T WANT TO COOPERATE? >> CORRECT. >> Reporter: DO YOU THINK BRINGING UP THE PHYSICAL ABUSE WORKED AGAINST YOU? >> IT ABSOLUTELY WORKED AGAINST ME. >> Reporter: IN TEXAS MICHELLE WHOSE LAST NAME WE WITHHOLD TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN'S PRIVACY FOUGHT HER EX-HUSBAND FOR CUSTODY OF THE FOUR KIDS ARGUING HE WAS VIOLENT. A FAMILY COURT JUDGE GRANTED THE FATHER PRIMARY CUSTODY. >> HAS HE BEEN PHYSICAL TOWARD THE KIDS? >> YES. PUT A GUN TO THE OLDEST DAUGHTER'S HEAD. HE PULLED THE TRIGGER AND LAUGHED SAYING IT WAS TRIGGER PRACTICE. >> Reporter: NO BULLETS IN IT? >> NOT IN THE GUN. BUT HE PULLED THE TRIGGER AND SHE DIDN'T KNOW THAT THERE WERE NOT BULLETS IN THE GUN. SHE SAID I THOUGHT I WAS TAKING MY LAST BREATH AND I REALIZED I WAS STILL BREATHING. >> Reporter: OKAY. NO THANK YOU? HE SAID HE WAS CLEANING A GUN AND NEVER POINTED IT OR THREATENED HIS DAUGHTER. IN COURT TRANSCRIPTS HE SAID HE NEVER LAID A HAND ON HIS EX-WIFE AND A SHERIFF'S REPORT CONCLUDED THE CHILDREN HAD CHANGED THEIR STORY MULTIPLE TIMES ABOUT THE ALLEGED GUN INCIDENT AFTER A CPS INVESTIGATOR SAID THEY WERE COACHED. MICHELLE IS ADAMANT SHE IS TELLING THE TRUTH AND TRYING TO PROTECT HER KIDS. WHAT IS LIVING THIS LIKE? >> IT IS A NIGHTMARE. BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY TO HELP THEM. >> YOU ARE THINKING THAT THE PEOPLE WILL HELP YOU AND LISTEN TO YOU AND NO ONE LISTENED TO ME. NOBODY HELPED ME. >> Reporter: CATHY SHERLOCK STARTED A FOUNDATION CALLED CADEN'S CORNER TO SUPPORT OTHER PARENTS STILL FIGHTING FOR CUSTODY. WHEN SHE IS EXHAUSTED SHE REMEMBERS HER LITTLE GIRL. >> WHO AM I TO QUIT? THAT LITTLE GIRL WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO BE HERE. SHE WOULDN'T HAVE GIVEN UP ON ME. I'M NOT GIVING UP ON HER. >> KATE, WHAT DO ADVOCATES LIKE CATHY WANT? >> LESTER, SHE IS PUSHING FOR A STATE LAW NAMED AFTER CADEN. IF A COURT FOUND A PARENT WITH AN ABUSER ANY VISITATION WOULD HAVE TO BE SUPERVISED AND REQUIRES MORE TRAINING FOR JUDGES. TOMORROW WE'LL LOOK AT WHAT'S BEING DONE TO TRY TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM. LESTER? >> IT IS ALL VERY TROUBLING. THANK YOU. >>> UP NEXT SHE IS STARTING COLLEGE AT >>> FINALLY SHE'S STARTING COLLEGE WITH GOALS AS HIGH AS THE STARS. SOMETHING TELLS ME THIS 12-YEAR-OLD WILL REALIZE HER DREAMS WHILE HELPING OTHERS WITH THEIRS. MOST MORNINGS ALANA ANALAI STARTS THE DAY WITH A RUN AND THEN THE REAL RACE BEGINS. >> HELLO. WELCOME TO BRAINIAC WORLD. >> Reporter: THE TEXAS 12-YEAR-OLD IS ON AN IMPRESSIVE JOURNEY ABOUT TO BEGIN COLLEGE. WHAT WILL YOU BE MAJORING IN? >> I'LL BE MAJORING IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND A DOUBLE MAJOR IN CHEMISTRY. >> SOUNDS COMPLEX BUT TO HER IT'S ALL ABOUT A SIMPLE LOVE FOR SCIENCE. >> I LOVE THE IDEA OF SPACE. I LOVE THAT WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. >> Reporter: HER PASSION FOR ENGINEERING IS YEARS IN THE MAKING. >> IT'S NOT USUAL THAT YOU WOULD SEE A LOT OF WOMEN OR GIRLS IN S.T.E.M. JOBS. >> Reporter: SHE HOPES TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH BROWN S.T.E.M. GIRL. THE PROGRAM SHE FOUNDED TO PAVE THE WAY FOR OTHERS. >> TODAY WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS SHORT TERM GOAL ACTIVITY. >> Reporter: HER ORGANIZATION PROVIDES LEARNING ACTIVITIES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH TO YOUNG GIRLS OF COLOR LIKE SHANTANA WHITE. >> SHE CAN MENTOR ME TO BE A BETTER PERSON. >> Reporter: SHE'S ALREADY GRABBED THE ATTENTION OF NASA WHERE SHE PLANS TO WORK ONE DAY DRIVEN BY A DREAM OF REACHING THE STARS. >> ALL I'M HERE TO DO IS SHOW THAT THERE COULD BE A GROUP OF YOUNG GIRLS WHO CAN EXCEL AND FILL S.T.E.M. WITH NOBODY TELLING THEM NO OR YOU'RE TOO YOUNG TO DO THIS. WELL, I MADE A DREAM AND I MADE IT HAPPEN. >> SHE IS MAKING IT HAPPEN INDEED. THAT'S "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS THURSDAY. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, EVERYONE.
