Jewell v. Grand Traverse County Probate Judge

Mrs. Vera Tannery Ward gave birth to a daughter, Nancy, in 1964. Her husband died and Mrs. Ward became mentally ill and eventually was confined in Traverse City State Hospital by order of Grand Traverse Probate Judge Harold E. Hunsberger dated August 26, 1968. On the same date Nancy was made a temporary ward of the probate court on a foster-care basis, and was placed in the foster home of Mr. and Mrs. John Wood in Kingsley, Michigan. In January 1969 Nancy was placed in the foster home of David P. and Lois Jewell, where she stayed until June of 1972.

On July 3, 1970, Mr. and Mrs. Jewell…