Watkins v. Rose
Watkins v. Rose
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
Petitioner instituted proceedings in habeas corpus to obtain the custody of his infant son, six years of age, from Mrs. Sherman. He alleged that he was married to the *372 respondent, Anna Belle Rose (who was formerly his wife, but subsequently divorced from him and married to another), and the child was born to them at Camden, S. C.; that they separated and the wife carried the child to Valdosta, Ga., and put him in the custody of his aunt, the respondent, Mrs. Sherman, who had brought him to Spartanburg, S. C., on a visit to her relatives; that neither Mrs. Rose nor Mrs. Sherman was a fit person to have his custody. Mrs. Sherman denied that the child was in her custody and alleged that he was then in the custody of Mrs. Rose, who was made a party to the proceeding. She alleged that she had been divorced from petitioner on account of his cruel and inhuman treatment of her, that she was a fit custodian of the child and he was not, and asked that she be allowed to have the custody of him.
After hearing the testimony, the Judge found that neither the petitioner nor Mrs. Rose was a fit custodian of the child, and awarded his custody to Mrs. Sherman, of Valdosta, Ga., who had had custody of him for the past several years. She testified that she was financially able to take care of him and was anxious to do so. The Judge found from the evidence that she was a fit custodian, and that it would be for the best interest of the child that he should be put in her care and custody, and so ordered. Mrs. ■ Sherman immediately took the custody of the child and left the next day for Valdosta.
Nor was any constitutional right of petitioner denied by the order. His right of custody and property in the services of the child is inferior] to the power of the Court to do- that which is best for him.
*374 Judgment affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.