Cleo A. E. v. Rickie Gene E.

WORKMAN, Chief Justice:

The Child Advocate Office (“CAO”) brought this appeal to challenge the voluntary bastardization of a minor child. Having examined the record in this matter in conjunction with the issue presented, this Court concludes that the best interests of the child standard precludes the parties from entering into a stipulation which has as its effect the bastardization of a child born to the parties during their marriage.

Cleo and Rickie E. were married on May 24, 1981, in Mason County, West Virginia. Cleo and Rickie E. had two children — Sheila E. on January 19, 1981, and Amber…