Wilkerson v. Wilkerson

The principal question presented by this appeal involves the right of a father, Arthur William Wilkerson, to the custody of his five-year-old daughter, Beth Marie Wilkerson. The trial court awarded custody of Beth to Ruby and Malcolm Buchanan. Ruby Buchanan is Mrs. Wilkerson’s stepaunt. Malcolm Buchanan is Ruby Buchanan’s husband.

Mr. Wilkerson was awarded a divorce from his wife, Rose Marie Wilkerson, on the ground that the wife had willfully deserted him for more than one year. The trial court found Mrs. Wilkerson was not a fit and proper person to have custody of Beth because of a long…