n the Matter of the Guardianship of D.R. and D.B., Minors: Donnie R. Bradford, Sr. v. Classie Don-Najee Bradford ( 2020 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2019-CA-00210-COA
IN THE MATTER OF THE GUARDIANSHIP OF APPELLANT
D.R. AND D.B., MINORS: DONNIE R.
BRADFORD, SR.
v.
CLASSIE DON-NAJEE BRADFORD APPELLEE
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 12/27/2018
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. WILLIAM H. SINGLETARY
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: HINDS COUNTY CHANCERY COURT,
FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: CHARLES BARON IRVIN
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE: M. JUDITH BARNETT
ROSS R. BARNETT JR.
NATURE OF THE CASE: CIVIL - DOMESTIC RELATIONS
DISPOSITION: REVERSED AND REMANDED - 03/17/2020
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
BEFORE CARLTON, P.J., WESTBROOKS AND McCARTY, JJ.
McCARTY, J., FOR THE COURT:
¶1. This case involves a custody dispute between a father and his daughter over two minor
children. The chancery court awarded custody of the children to the daughter, finding that
she had rebutted the natural-parent presumption. Because the chancery court’s ruling was
premature, we reverse and remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion.
BACKGROUND
¶2. Donnie and Etonne Bradford were married and had three children: Classie Bradford,
D.R., and D.B.1 Etonne died in late 2017, after which Classie sought a guardianship over her
younger siblings. Donnie counterclaimed for custody. Classie was awarded temporary
custody of the children.
¶3. The chancery court conducted a hearing that dealt primarily with whether to dissolve
a temporary restraining order previously issued against Donnie.2 Subsequently, a trial was
held over three different days and stretched out over several months. Donnie had presented
testimony through direct testimony and cross-examination.
¶4. However, before Donnie’s attorney had a chance to redirect his testimony or call
witnesses on Donnie’s behalf, the proceedings ended. Trial was scheduled to resume three
days later. For reasons unclear in the record, the trial did not resume.
¶5. A week later, the chancery court issued an opinion and judgment, awarding Classie
custody of both children and ordering Donnie to pay child support.
¶6. Donnie appeals, arguing that Classie did not successfully rebut the natural-parent
presumption and that the court’s Albright3 analysis was incomplete.
DISCUSSION
¶7. In a child-custody determination between a natural parent and a third party, the law
1
At the time of the custody hearing, Classie was twenty-one years old, D.R. was
eighteen years old, and D.B. was four years old.
2
The chancery court appointed a guardian ad litem. The GAL testified at the first
hearing that he had conducted a preliminary investigation and issued a preliminary report.
This report is not in the record, and there is no indication the GAL conducted any further
investigation.
3
Albright v. Albright, 437 So. 2d 1003, 1005 (Miss. 1983).
2
presumes that it is in the best interest of the child for the natural parent to have custody.
Smith v. Smith, 97 So. 3d 43, 46 (¶8) (Miss. 2012). To rebut this presumption, Classie was
required to produce clear and convincing evidence that Donnie abandoned the children,
deserted the children, exhibited immoral conduct detrimental to the children, or evidenced
his unfitness to have custody. See Davis v. Vaughn, 126 So. 3d 33, 37 (¶10) (Miss. 2013).
¶8. The chancery court’s findings were issued without the benefit of hearing from any of
Donnie’s witnesses or allowing his redirect testimony. At this stage, the proof was not fully
developed on the issues, and the chancery court was premature in reaching final judgment.
¶9. Given the very high standard of rebutting the natural-parent presumption, we reverse
and remand to allow Donnie to present proof via witnesses, any redirect, rebuttal, or other
evidence as the chancery court sees fit.4
¶10. REVERSED AND REMANDED.
BARNES, C.J., CARLTON AND J. WILSON, P.JJ., GREENLEE,
WESTBROOKS, TINDELL, McDONALD, LAWRENCE AND C. WILSON, JJ.,
CONCUR.
4
We recognize that trial courts have wide latitude to control the operation of trials,
including hearing testimony from witnesses. See M.R.E. 611.
3