Bodwell v. Brooks

This case involves conflicting claims for custody of a minor child brought by his biological mother, Erica U. Bodwell; her husband, Mark Bodwell; and the child’s biological father, Troy Brooks. Mark Bodwell appeals a decree of the Superior Court (Groff, J.) approving the marital master’s (Deborah Kane Rein, Esq.) ruling that as the child’s stepfather, Mark Bodwell lacks standing to assert any legal rights, including custodial rights, toward the child. We reverse and remand.

Erica and Mark Bodwell were married in June 1989 and divorced in October 1992. While the couple was separated in May…