Amber Littleton v. Kelli Jo Stewart ( 2021 )

RENDERED: OCTOBER 15, 2021; 10:00 A.M.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Court of Appeals
NO. 2020-CA-0612-MR
AMBER LITTLETON APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM LAUREL CIRCUIT COURT
v. HONORABLE STEPHEN M. JONES, JUDGE
ACTION NO. 19-CI-00087
KELLI JO STEWART AND GENE
WILLIAMS APPELLEES
OPINION
AFFIRMING
** ** ** ** **
BEFORE: CLAYTON, CHIEF JUDGE; ACREE AND LAMBERT, JUDGES.
ACREE, JUDGE: Amber Littleton appeals the Laurel Circuit Court order denying
her custody of Kelli Jo Stewart’s and Gene Williams’s biological child. Amber
contends Kelli and Gene waived their superior rights to custody and argues the
circuit court did not rule in the child’s best interest. Finding no error, we affirm.
BACKGROUND
Kelli and Gene “were never really a couple” although “they had tried
but it didn’t work out.” (Record (R.) 187.) However, what matters here is that in
July 2017, Kelli became pregnant with Gene’s child. Roughly a month later, on
August 18, 2017, Amber and Kelli met and soon began a romantic relationship. At
all times, Amber knew Gene was the father of Kelli’s child. In late November
2017, Amber and Kelli moved in together.
Five months later, Kelli gave birth to a baby boy. Gene was not there
because Amber convinced Kelli not to tell him where she was.
Not long after the child’s birth, Kelli underwent an unrelated, minor
surgical procedure. Although the procedure posed little or no risk of death, Amber
urged Kelli to sign a statement that, if she should not survive surgery, Amber was
to care for the child. When Kelli survived the surgery, Amber consulted legal
counsel about obtaining custody of Kelli’s and Gene’s child.
Legal counsel relied on a doctrine in Mullins v. Picklesimer, 317
S.W.3d 569, 579 (Ky. 2010), describing a “waiver of some part of custody rights”
to induce the circuit court to enter an agreed order granting joint custody to Amber
and Kelli only. Amber’s counsel followed Mullins’ guidance and prepared several
documents for simultaneous filing with the court: a “Verified Petition for
Custody” which Amber signed; an “Entry of Appearance” which Kelli signed, pro
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se; and an “Agreed Joint Custody Order” which both signed. Counsel filed the
pleadings and tendered the agreed order in Laurel Circuit Court on October 31,
2018, thereby initiating the case of Amber Littleton v. Kelli Stewart, No. 18-CI-
00918 (Laurel Circuit Court) (hereafter, Littleton I). Twenty days later, the clerk
entered the custody order and sent copies to Kelli and Amber.1 (R. 172-174.)
As we now know, the crucial representations in the verified petition
are lies purposefully intended to deceive the court. The identity of the biological
father was never “unknown”; the child was not “conceived through artificial
insemination upon agreement of the parties to parent the child together”; and Gene
had a “right to custody of the minor child . . . .” (R. 173.)
Amber received a copy of the custody order on November 28, 2018,
and immediately began filing petitions for emergency protective orders with the
goal of obtaining sole custody, but the petitions were all summarily denied.2 That
same day, Amber called the police and falsely claimed Kelli was trafficking
marijuana out of the home in front of their child. When the police arrived, Kelli
was cooking dinner and not under the influence. But, the police found a small
amount of marijuana, resulting in Kelli being charged with a misdemeanor and
1
The docket entry confirms that the clerk entered the order and distributed copies to counsel, but
the judge’s signature does not appear on the copy in this record. (R. 174.)
2
As noted below, an emergency protective order (EPO) was eventually entered but there was no
grant of custody to Amber.
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given a summons. No evidence was found of trafficking, and Kelli never received
jail time because of the incident.
Four days later, December 2, 2018, Kelli planned to take the child to
her father’s birthday party, but Amber thwarted those plans by again involving the
police. This time, she told the police she intended to leave home with the child and
her departure might result in violence. When an officer arrived, Amber showed
him the joint custody order and he allowed her and the child to leave. They went
to Georgia where Amber’s parents reside but returned less than two weeks later.
On December 14, 2018, Amber went to Kelli’s workplace. She let
Kelli see the baby but would not let her hold the baby or take him from the car
seat. Instead, Amber drove the parking lot in circles with Kelli as a passenger.
When Kelli attempted to unbuckle the child, Amber became irate, stopped the car,
and tried to choke Kelli. After Kelli left the vehicle, Amber obtained an EPO.3
She then returned with the baby to Georgia.
A week later, Kelli retained her own lawyer who filed a CR4 60.02
motion to set aside the agreed custody order as having been obtained by fraud and
because of the failure to join an indispensable party–Gene. That same day, Amber
filed a motion to modify and for temporary custody.
3
The EPO was dismissed by agreement of the parties. (R. 181.)
4
Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure.
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The issue of Amber’s standing to petition for custody also arose. The
court’s docket sheet in Littleton I indicates Kelli waived objection to Amber’s
standing in that case, but Kelli, who was not represented then by counsel, denied
waiving standing or even understanding the legal concept.
The court set aside the custody order. Despite Kelli not having any
visitation with her child for more than 30 days, including the baby’s first
Christmas, Kelli agreed to joint custody and equal timesharing with Amber until a
final hearing could resolve all the issues.
On January 28, 2019, Amber initiated a second custody action by
filing another verified petition for custody. Again, she relied on Mullins to claim
standing as a person acting as a parent, and claiming custody based on Kelli’s and
Gene’s unfitness as parents and their respective waivers of their superior right to
parent their child. (R. 2, 3.) Kelli responded, by counsel, asking the court for an
award of sole custody. (R. 40.) Gene, acting pro se, asked the court to award him
and Kelli joint custody. (R. 77.) Discovery commenced.
In October 2019, the circuit court conducted a final hearing. The
court entered its 20-page findings and order on February 12, 2020. After
thoroughly summarizing the testimony and other evidence, the circuit court
concluded as follows:
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1. Regarding Amber’s claim of unfitness, the court said,
“[T]here was no evidence offered that either Gene
Williams or Kelli Stewart are unfit parents.” (R. 191);
2. The court addressed Amber’s claim of waiver against
Gene, noting Gene’s attempts to parent were thwarted by
Amber’s instruction to Kelli “to have no contact with
Gene.” (R. 191). Ultimately, the court concluded,
“There is no evidence that Gene Williams has waived his
superior right to parent [his child].” (R. 191);
3. As for Amber’s claim that Kelli waived her parental
right, either completely or partially (under Mullins,
supra), the court said Amber engaged in “manipulative
and bullying behavior” and her “[f]iling [of] false
claims” against Kelli “shows malice”; that Amber
“continued her deceptive conduct up through December
2018” making false representations to satisfy the Mullins
criteria, and that her other “adversarial actions lends
strong credibility to Kelli Stewart’s claim that she was
bullied by Amber Littleton.” (R. 192-193). Then, the
court stated it “could not find that Kelli Stewart’s action
in this case, including her signing the prior custody order
that was ultimately set aside, is [the legal equivalent of]
an express waiver[5] of her superior right to parent the
minor child proven by clear and convincing evidence.”
(R. 193.)
The circuit court denied Amber’s petition and awarded Gene and Kelli joint
custody of the child. Amber appealed.
5
“A written, formal waiver is not required; nonetheless, ‘statements and supporting
circumstances must be equivalent to an express waiver to meet the burden of proof.’” Penticuff
v. Miller, 503 S.W.3d 198, 203 (Ky. App. 2016) (citing Mullins, 317 S.W.3d at 578 (quoting
Vinson v. Sorrell, 136 S.W.3d 465, 469 (Ky. 2004))).
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ANALYSIS
Amber does not challenge the circuit court’s conclusions that neither
Kelli nor Gene is unfit to parent their child. Rather, she claims the circuit court
abused its discretion when it failed to conclude clear and convincing evidence
proved both Kelli and Gene voluntarily and intentionally waived their respective
superior rights to parent their child. We disagree.
“Whether a parent waives his or her superior custody right is a factual
finding that is subject to the clearly erroneous standard of review.” Penticuff, 503
S.W.3d at 204 (citing Mullins, 317 S.W.3d at 581). “To determine whether
findings are clearly erroneous, reviewing courts must focus on whether those
findings are supported by substantial evidence.” Id. (quoting Mullins, 317 S.W.3d
at 581 (citing Moore v. Asente, 110 S.W.3d 336, 354 (Ky. 2003))).
We immediately reject any pretense that Amber satisfied the criteria
identified in Mullins for awarding her custody. With confidence in Mullins,
Amber verified her petition to gild multiple lies as her solemn oath to a court.
Bryant v. Allstate Indemnity Company, 519 S.W.3d 401, 406 (Ky. App. 2017)
(“Verification is the confirmation of the correctness, truth, or authenticity of a
pleading by affidavit, oath, or deposition.”). The need for those lies is consistent
with the understanding that the Mullins criteria applies only “when the child was
conceived by artificial insemination with the intent that the child would be co-
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parented by the parent and her [same-sex] partner . . . .” Mullins, 317 S.W.3d at
575. That Amber lied when she falsely swore to such a claim is not in dispute, but
those lies will not support the doctrinaire benefits of Mullins’ holding here.
Amber may have challenged the further fact that she bullied Kelli to
bow to her will, but the overwhelming evidence supports that conclusion. It also
supports the factual finding that Kelli’s actions, which Amber claims supports
waiver, were not voluntary. That finding is not clearly erroneous.
The factors set forth in Vinson v. Sorrell, 136 S.W.3d 465 (Ky. 2004),
for determining whether a parent waives superior custody rights do not
contemplate these precise circumstances. Consider Vinson’s first factor, for
example–the length of time the child spent away from the parent. Id. at 470.
Knowing now that the joint custody order was fraudulently procured, and that
Amber had no right to custody when she left with the child for Georgia, puts a
different gloss on the length of time Amber kept the child away from Kelli (32
days). See 18 U.S.C.A.6 § 1201(a)(1) (Kidnapping occurs when one “carries away
. . . any person, . . . [other than] a minor by the parent thereof, when . . . the person
is willfully transported in interstate or foreign commerce . . . .”).
Given the circuit court’s finding that Amber’s conduct descended into
malice, the other Vinson factors–circumstances of separation of Kelli and child; the
6
United States Code Annotated.
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child’s age; time elapsed before the parent sought to claim the child; frequency and
nature of contact between Kelli and the child–all weigh in Kelli’s favor. Vinson,
136 S.W.3d at 470. The circuit court’s conclusion that Kelli did not voluntarily
and intentionally waive her superior right to custody is not clearly erroneous but is
supported by substantial evidence.
The same could be said for Gene. The circuit court found, and
substantial evidence supports the finding, that Amber intimidated Kelli to keep
Gene away from his child despite “attempts by Gene to contact Kelli Stewart.” (R.
191.) When finally given the opportunity,7 Gene willingly acknowledged
paternity. Once Amber’s influence over Kelli was removed, Gene was able to visit
and even exercise physical custody of the child. (R. 191.) We find no error in the
circuit court’s conclusion that there was no evidence that Gene waived his superior
right to parent his son.
Lastly, Amber argues the circuit court erred in another way. Claiming
standing based on Mullins’ application of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction
and Enforcement Act as a person acting as a parent, KRS8 403.800(13), Amber
argues she is the equivalent of a de facto custodian entitled to demand application
of KRS 403.270(2). But the statute does not say that. Instead, it begins with
7
This case was initiated with, and court records reflected, an incorrect address for Gene.
8
Kentucky Revised Statutes.
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language that disqualifies Amber: “The court shall determine custody in
accordance with the best interests of the child and equal consideration shall be
given to each parent and to any de facto custodian.” KRS 403.270(2). Amber is
neither a parent nor a de facto custodian. Mullins did not, and could not, add
language to that statute to include persons who can claim no more than satisfaction
of the statutory definition of a person acting as a parent. “Where a statute is
intelligible on its face,” as this statute clearly is, “the courts are not at liberty to
supply words or insert something or make additions . . . .” Commonwealth v.
Harrelson, 14 S.W.3d 541, 546 (Ky. 2000). Even though the circuit court
addressed this argument,9 we need not entertain it any further.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, we affirm the Laurel Circuit Court’s February
12, 2020 order denying Amber custody of the Kelli and Gene’s child.
ALL CONCUR.
9
The circuit court held that, although it found no waiver that would have put Amber on equal
legal footing with Kelli and Gene, “the Court believes . . . it would have not been in the best
interest of [the child] for the three parties to share custody. . . . [T]he conduct of Amber Littleton
in obtaining this child shows bad faith on her behalf and improper motive and emotionally
damaging actions to a child. Furthermore, . . . Amber Littleton lacks stability having lived in
numerous states, so many she couldn’t remember them all. Her work history shows instability
with numerous jobs and long episodes of unemployment. The testimony [of two witnesses]
indicate troubling behavior that Amber Littleton had exhibited against children and intimate
partners in the past. Amber Littleton had lost a job at an elder care facility due to allegations of
abuse to a vulnerable person.” (R. 193-194.) Even if Amber had been “a candidate for custody,
the Court does not believe that it would be in the best interest of the minor child herein that she
have custody of the minor child.” (R. 194.)
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BRIEFS FOR APPELLANT: BRIEF FOR APPELLEE KELLI JO
STEWART:
Brittany N. Riley
London, Kentucky Mary-Ann Smyth
Corbin, Kentucky
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