Stevens v. Cato

Sally Cato ("Ms. Cato"), the aunt of minor child C.S. ("Child"), filed a petition in the Circuit Court of Stoddard County asking that a child order of protection order be entered against her sister, Child's mother, Crystal Stevens ("Respondent"). Ms. Cato, along with her husband, Galen Cato (collectively, "Appellants"), also filed a petition in the probate division seeking to be appointed as Child's guardians.1 When an ex parte child order of protection granting Ms. Cato temporary custody of Child was entered, Respondent filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus that demanded Child's return.

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