Shortridge v. Deel

Arlene Deel and Jerry Deel, her husband, filed their petition in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court of Buchanan County to obtain custody of Lawrence Robbie Don Ratliff (Robbie), an infant born May 11, 1977. Shirley Margaret Ratliff (Margaret), the unmarried mother of Robbie, opposed the petition and appealed the order entered on December 13, 1978, awarding custody to the Deels. On December 16, 1978, Margaret married Elbert Shortridge, who had testified at trial that he was Robbie’s father.

In February of 1979, the Deels filed their petition in the Circuit Court of Dickenson County for…