South Carolina Department of Social Services v. Johnson

Ness, Justice.

This appeal is from an order vacating a default judgment rendered in a paternity action against respondent Chico Johnson. We reverse and reinstate the original judgment.

The Department of Social Services commenced this suit against respondent to establish a child support • obligation. Johnson appeared at the initial hearing on February 23, 1977, and orally denied the allegations of paternity. Notice was properly given for a hearing on the merits on March 7, 1977. Respondent neither appeared at that hearing nor entered any responsive pleadings. Accordingly, a default judgment was…