Gilbert v. Moore

Donald L. Corbin, Justice.

Appellant Vassie Gilbert appeals the order of the Union County Circuit Court granting temporary custody of her five-year-old son to the child’s biological father, Appellee Damarcus Moore. For reversal, Appellant argues that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear Appellee’s petition for custody because he had not been previously established as the child’s father. She argues that under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-10-113(b) (Supp. 2005), Appellee lacked standing to petition for custody prior to a judicial determination of paternity. This issue is one of first impression;…