M.L.E. v. K.B. ex rel. A.B.

M.L.E. ("the stepfather") appeals from the trial court's denial of his Rule 55(c), Ala.R.Civ.P., motion to set aside a default judgment. On June 21, 1999, K.B. ("the stepdaughter"), acting by and through her mother, A.B., sued the stepfather, alleging that he had sexually abused her on several instances and that he had once raped her,1 and, that in doing so, he had committed the tort of outrage, had falsely imprisoned her, and had committed assault and battery. The stepdaughter sought $1 million in damages for physical and emotional distress.

The stepfather failed to answer the complaint and…