As to OW - first step is to go online and see if there are any public records with her name on them. Arrests, other public filings. I know when my brother was falsely accused and arrested, I could go online and see not only his info, but found out my other brother had a traffic fine! Snoop around online for county records if you know what county she was in.
Unlikely her ex got custody if he was a gambler and drug addict. Perhaps it's a classic case of projection, and OW is the gambler and drug addict?
Maybe someone else here can offer you some P.I. tips.
