Reaves v. Herman

Steele Hays, Justice.

The appellant, Steven Charles Reaves, and appellee, David Harrison Herman, are the fathers of Chad Steven Reaves and Carrie Magdalene Herman, respectively. Carrie Herman gave birth to an infant boy on September 28, 1990, when she was seventeen years old. The baby’s father, Chad Reaves, was also seventeen at the time of his son’s birth. This appeal arises out of a dispute concerning the child’s surname.

Following the birth of her son, Carrie Herman submitted the name Mitchell Harrison Herman for placement on the child’s birth certificate. Thereafter, the appellant filed a…