State, Child Support Enforcement Unit v. Markham

John I. Purtle, Justice.

The state filed an action in the County Court of Polk County to determine if appellee was the father of an illegitimate child. The referee eventually ruled in favor of the putative father and the state appealed to the circuit court where the appeal was dismissed as untimely.

The bastardy action was commenced on April 4,1984, and a hearing on the merits was held on May 31, 1985. The case was taken under advisement by the bastardy referee. On July 29, 1985, the referee wrote a. letter to the attorneys in which he announced his decision that the appellee was not the father…