Maupin v. Maupin

On January 17, 1947, the appellee (Mary Lee Maupin) secured a divorce from appellant (William H. Maupin) by default upon the ground of desertion. The decree awarded custody of two minor children, Marilyn and William, aged three and two, to the defendant, the father of said children “without any interference on the part of the said plaintiff.” The decree contains no findings or recitals explanatory of this disposition.

On May 19, 1947, when the father had placed the girl in a hospital for a tonsillectomy, the mother went to the hospital, and when the child was discharged took the child,…