Sampson Ex Rel. Sampson v. Sampson

STUART, Justice.

Martha Judy Sampson, a resident of Wisconsin and mother of Toni Marie Sampson, brought this habeas corpus action as Toni’s mother and next friend to obtain custody of the child now living in Iowa with defendant, Robert L. Sampson, Toni’s father and plaintiff’s former husband. The trial court decided the matter on the question of the best interest of the child and awarded custody to the father with liberal visitation rights to the mother. She has appealed.

Although we have repeatedly stated habeas corpus actions to determine child custody are tried as equitable proceedings and…