Virginia Adoption Court Cases

Virginia Court Case: Szemler v. Clements
On April 24, 1970, the mother executed a document purporting to revoke her consent to the adoption, but no notice of the revocation was communicated to the Clementses prior to the filing of their petition on May 21, 1970. In June, 1970, the mother's attorney in Germany wrote to Lieutenant Commander and Mrs. Clements that the mother intended to marry Petra's father and wished the return of her child. In November, 1970, the Frankfurt Youth Commission consented to the proposed adoption by the Clementses...


Virginia Court Case: Bidwell v. McSorley
The usual order of reference was entered on January 12, 1951, and after an investigation the Welfare Department made its report to the court. The report was favorable and recommended the entry of the interlocutory order which was accordingly entered on April 14, 1951. The order was pursuant to section 63-352, Virginia Code, 1950, n1 and the applicable provisions of this section were included therein...


Virginia Court Case: Doulgeris v. Bambacus
The cause was referred to a commissioner in chancery with direction to report who are the heirs at law and next of kin of the decedent and what persons are entitled to his estate. The commissioner heard the evidence on behalf of a number of claimants, including Dialehti Karavelia Doulgeris, hereinafter referred to as "Doulgeris." She had filed an answer to the bill alleging that she was entitled to the net estate because, she said, she was...


Virginia Court Case: Malpass v. Morgan
Edgar M. Morgan, Jr., filed in the trial court a petition seeking the adoption and change of name of his stepson, then six years of age. Linda Bloodworth Malpass Morgan, Morgan's wife and the natural mother of the child, joined in the petition to indicate her consent. William Don Malpass, the natural father of the child, was given notice of the petition, and he filed an answer objecting to the adoption. The trial court, after hearing evidence, ruled that the father's consent...


Virginia Court Case: Commonwealth v. Hayes
The record shows that the child, Anita Ferguson, was born out of wedlock to Annabel Ferguson, then 19 years of age, and George Hayes, Jr., then 17 years of age. Earlier, when the mother learned she was pregnant, she informed Hayes that she was expecting his child and "asked him if he would help ... to support it." His reaction was that he "didn't really care" and he "just stopped coming around." The expectant mother then decided...


Virginia Court Case: Rocka v. County
The evidence consists solely of certain departmental records and the testimony of the mother and that of a caseworker. About 1965, the mother and father began living together as man and wife in Florida. n1 At that time, the mother was approximately 19 years old and the father was 16 years her senior. Three children were born of their union. The mother was described by her Florida relatives as "a good natured kid, decent, easily...


Virginia Court Case: Shank v. Social Services
The 1960 amendments were especially suited to cases of child abuse and neglect. The General Assembly created two distinct remedies fashioned to fit diverse circumstances in such cases. One permits the courts to commit the child to an "agency" but withhold power to place for adoption. When applied, this remedy effects a transitory change in the child's custodial status and a provisional suspension of the parent's custodial rights without affecting other parental rights. This remedy is designed for the case of a parent who shows extenuating circumstances and...


Virginia Court Case: Watson v. Shepard
The appeal stems from two separate proceedings which were consolidated and heard ore tenus by the chancellor. Appellees Roger Dale Shepard and Cynthia Gail Watson Shepard filed on March 1, 1974 in the court below a petition to adopt the child and to change her name. Code § 63.1-220, et seq. Thereafter, on February 28, 1975, appellant Sarah Elizabeth Watson, the child's natural mother, petitioned the court for an award of...


Virginia Court Case: Ward v. Faw
Johnnie Michael Faw petitioned the court below for the adoption and change of name of Jerone Walter Ward, Jr. The child was the infant son of Faw's wife, Karen Rebecca Faw, who joined in the petition to indicate her consent to the adoption. Subsequently, the child's natural father, appellant Jerone Walter Ward, filed an objection to the adoption and was allowed to intervene in the proceeding. Following an ore tenus hearing...


Virginia Court Case: Cunningham v. Gray
In this family law case, we review the trial court's action in granting a stepfather's petition for adoption over objection of the child's natural father. In April of 1978, appellees Rosalind M. Gray and Charles M. Gray filed a petition in the court below for the adoption by Mr. Gray of Tracy Michelle Cunningham and for change of her name. The child was nine years of age and the natural daughter of Mrs. Gray by her former marriage...


Virginia Court Case: Doe v. Doe
Ann Smith Doe petitioned the court below for adoption of Jack Doe. The child is the infant son by a former marriage of Ann's husband, John Doe, who joined in the petition and consented to the adoption. Code § 63.1-221, et seq. Appellant Jane Doe, the child's natural mother, filed her answer and registered her opposition. Investigations were made by the Franklin County Department of Social Services and by the Children...


Virginia Court Case: Harris v. Social Services
Harris is the mother of two other children, Moncil and Rayneil, both older than Eli and Gwen. Harris' parental rights to Moncil were terminated in January, 1977. Rayneil, acknowledged by Woodson as his child, was placed in the custody of Woodson's mother pursuant to court order, and the child remained there at the time of the hearing in the trial court...

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