Dennis Earl Townes v. Nay Ruth Manyfield

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2003-CA-01944-SCT
DENNIS EARL TOWNES
v.
NAY RUTH MANYFIELD AND B. L. MANYFIELD
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 11/30/2002
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. WILLIAM HALE SINGLETARY
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: HINDS COUNTY CHANCERY COURT
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: JAMES D. MINOR, SR.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEES: BARBARA A. BLUNTSON
NATURE OF THE CASE: CIVIL - CUSTODY
DISPOSITION: VACATED AND REMANDED - 09/30/2004
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
BEFORE COBB, P.J., DICKINSON AND RANDOLPH, JJ.
DICKINSON, JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
¶1. This is a case involving the visitation rights of grandparents. This Court recognizes grandparent
visitation. However, this case is being remanded back for a hearing on grandparent visitation in which the
Martin factors, Martin v. Coop, 693 So. 2d 912, 916 (Miss. 1997), are to be applied and findings are
to be made on the record supporting the visitation granted.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
¶2. On May 31, 2002, Dennis Earl Townes ("Townes") filed a Petition for Writ of Assistance with the
Chancery Court of the Second Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, alleging that B.L. Manyfield
and Nay Ruth Manyfield (the "Manyfields") wrongfully and unlawfully took custody and possession of
Dennis’ minor children and refused to return the children to him.
¶3. On June 12, 2002, the Manyfields filed a Petition for Custody of Minor Children or in the
Alternative, for Grandparent Visitation.
¶4. On July 3, 2002, the Youth Court Division of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi
entered a Temporary Custody Order awarding temporary custody of the minor children to the Manyfields.
¶5. On July 22, 2002, the parties filed an Agreed Order of Temporary Visitation, granting Dennis
temporary visitation with his children. Dennis was awarded visitation every other week beginning Sunday
evenings at 6:00 p.m. through the following Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m.
¶6. On July 30, 2002, Dennis filed a Counter-Complaint for Custody of Minor Children.
¶7. On October 16, 2002, a hearing was conducted and the Opinion of the Court was filed on
November 20, 2002. Subsequently, on July 30, 2003, an Order was entered awarding Dennis custody
of the minor children and granting Manyfield visitation with the minor children. The Order provided that
following visitation provision:
Every first and third weekend of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and ending
at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, beginning Friday, November 29, 2002, unless said weekend
should fall on Christmas or Easter weekend, and in that instance the children will spend the
holiday in the home of their father, Dennis Townes. This Court orders that Dennis Townes
shall transport the children to the Manyfield's house for the visits on the first weekend of
each month and shall return to pick up the children at the conclusion of said visit. That on
the third weekend of each month, the parties or their designees shall meet at the truck stop
near Interstate 55 exit at Durant, Mississippi at the beginning and conclusion of the
visitation for the exchange of the children.
¶8. It is from this Order that Dennis appeals.
FACTS
¶9. On December 5, 1987, Dennis Earl Townes ("Dennis") and Melva Manyfield ("Melva") were
married. Four minor children were born to the marriage, namely, Dennis E. Townes, II, born January 22,
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1988; Cami M. Townes, born February 24, 1989; Amber Nicole Townes, Born June 21, 1991; and
Christopher A. Townes, born June 23, 1992.
¶10. When Dennis and Melva divorced in 1996, Melva was awarded physical custody of the children.
Melva and the four minor children resided with Melva's parents, B.L. and Nay Ruth Manyfield, from 1994
until on or about January 2000.
¶11. On May 7, 2002, Melva perished in a house fire. Prevented by the Manyfields from getting his
children, Dennis filed a Petition for Writ of Assistance to obtain the control and care of his minor children.
¶12. At trial, Dennis testified that between 1994 and 1997, he saw the children about three times and
had not seen them at all since 1997. Nevertheless, in awarding custody to Dennis, the trial court stated:
"As between [Dennis] and the Manyfields, [Dennis] is entitled to the benefit of the legal presumption that,
in the efforts he now professes to be willing to make to rear his children and to provide for them, their best
interest is served by reposing custody in him as their sole surviving natural parent."
¶13. Visitation was granted to the Manyfields. Dennis lives in Coffeeville, Mississippi. (Yalobusha
County), and Mrs. Manyfield lives in Edwards, Mississippi (Hinds County). B.L. Manyfield is now
deceased.
¶14. Subsequent to the order awarding custody to Dennis, the parties entered into an agreed order in
which Dennis relinquished custody of the oldest child, Dennis II, to Mrs. Manyfield.
¶15. Dennis appeals, raising the issue of whether the conditions of visitation granted by the chancellor
to Mrs. Manyfield were excessive.
ANALYSIS
¶16. In Mississippi, grandparent visitation is addressed by statute:
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Whenever a court of this state enters a decree or order awarding custody of a minor child
to one (1) of the parents of the child or terminating the parental rights of one (1) of the
parents of a minor child, or whenever one (1) of the parents of a minor child dies, either
parent of the child's parents who was not awarded custody or whose parental rights have
been terminated or who has died may petition the court in which the decree or order was
rendered or, in the case of the death of a parent, petition the chancery court in the county
in which the child resides, and seek visitation rights with such child.
Miss. Code Ann. § 93-16-3(1) (Rev. 1994).
¶17. This Court has set forth ten factors to be considered when determining visitation by grandparents:
1. The amount of disruption that extensive visitation will have on the child's life. This
includes disruption of school activities, summer activities, as well as any disruption
that might take place between the natural parent and the child as a result of the
child being away from home for extensive lengths of time.
2. The suitability of the grandparents' home with respect to the amount of supervision
received by the child.
3. The age of the child.
4. The age, and physical and mental health of the grandparents.
5. The emotional ties between the grandparents and the grandchild.
6. The moral fitness of the grandparents.
7. The distance of the grandparents' home from the child's home.
8. Any undermining of the parent's general discipline of the child.
9. Employment of the grandparents and the responsibilities associated with that
employment.
10. The willingness of the grandparents to accept that the rearing of the child is the
responsibility of the parent, and that the parent's manner of child rearing is not to
be interfered with by the grandparents.
Martin v. Coop, 693 So. 2d 912, 916 (Miss. 1997). These ten factors have become known in our cases
as “the Martin factors.”
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¶18. Dennis contends that the trial court’s failure to address the Martin factors warrants a reversal and
remand of the case. This Court has held that "making findings of fact under the Martin factors is an
integral part of a determination of what is in the best interests of a child." T.T.W. v. C.C., 839 So. 2d 501,
505 (Miss. 2003).
¶19. Dennis contends that grandparents are not accorded the same right of visitation as a mother or a
father. Mrs. Manyfield, however, points out that, in Martin, this Court held "visitation granted to
grandparents should not be equivalent to that which would be granted to a non-custodial parent unless
the circumstances overwhelmingly dictate that it should be." Martin, 693 So. 2d at 916
(emphasis added). Mrs. Manyfield argues that the Martin factors do not apply because of “overwhelming
circumstances” that dictate that granting equal visitation would be in the best interest of the child.
¶20. Absent an abuse of discretion, this Court “will uphold the decision of the chancellor.” Id. at 914.
“This Court will not disturb the factual findings of the chancellor unless said factual findings are manifestly
wrong or clearly erroneous.” Id. (citing McAdory v. McAdory, 608 So. 2d 695, 699 (Miss. 1992)).
¶21. This Court has held that "the best interest of the child must be the polestar consideration." Martin,
693 So. 2d at 916. "The visitation [granted to a grandparent] should be less than that which would be
awarded to a non-custodial parent, unless the circumstances overwhelming dictate that that amount of
visitation is in the best interest of the child, and it would be harmful to the child not to grant it." Id.
¶22. Dennis argues that the record does not support a departure from the rule in Martin and, even if
it did, any additional visitation should be summer visitation which would not interfere with the children's
studies and his work schedule.
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¶23. At the hearing, all four children testified in chambers. Each child indicated a preference to stay with
their grandparents. Mrs. Manyfield testified at trial that she and her husband had taken care of the children
practically all their lives and had supported them financially. The chancellor stated that “[i]t was obvious
to the Court that the children are far more comfortable with and bonded to the Manyfields. They prefer
to live with the Manyfields.”
¶24. The chancellor stated that “Dennis’ failure to offer input in his childrens’ lives or even to see them
for years at a time is certainly evidence that he was willing to abandon them to Melva. His failure to
support them, not only with monetary support but with this (sic) presence, is shameful.”
¶25. The chancellor ruled, however, that “[a]s between himself and the Manyfields, Dennis is entitled
to the benefit of the legal presumption that, in the efforts he now professes to be willing to make to rear his
children and to provide for them, their best interest is served by reposing custody in him as their sole
surviving natural parent.”
¶26. The chancellor stated that “[i]t is obvious that the children are deeply bonded to the Manyfields,
having been effectively reared by them. They should maintain contact with the Manyfields as often as
possible, as the parties may agree, and absent specific agreement otherwise, on the following schedule” -
every first and third weekend each month.
¶27. Dennis argues that the visitation award, together with his being ordered to transport the children
to and from the Manyfields’ house on the first weekend and transport them to and from Durant on the third
weekend is, excessive. He further contends that the alternating weekend visitation is especially onerous
because he is an over-the-road-trucker and the grandparent lives miles away. Dennis contends that having
to comply with the visitation schedule would, over the long run, decrease his earning capacity and the loss
of income is exacerbated because Mrs. Manyfield has no support obligation as a natural parent would.
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He further contends that the excessive travel is not in the best interest of the children. The children are
progressing academically.1 All the children are in extra-curricular activities. Nicole is in ballet, Camie
played football, and Christopher was to play flag football but could not because the visitation schedule
would not allow it. Dennis contends that the excessive travel limits the parent in these endeavors and
disrupts the focus of the children.
¶28. It is very evident that the chancellor weighed heavily the bond that the children have with Mrs.
Manyfield. However, the record is devoid of any mention of the Martin factors which this Court has set
forth to be considered, when determining the amount of visitation that grandparents should be granted.
¶29. In T.T.W. , this Court held that "making findings of fact under the Martin factors is an integral part
of a determination of what is in the best interest of a child." 839 So. 2d at 505. Therefore, the Martin
factors are to be applied and discussed in every case in which grandparent visitation is an issue.
Furthermore, when a chancellor finds that there are circumstances that “overwhelmingly dictate” that a
grandparent should be awarded equivalent visitation to that of a parent, those findings must be fully
discussed on the record.
CONCLUSION
¶30. The chancellor erred by failing to apply the Martin factors and failing to make a finding on the
record supporting the visitation awarded. Therefore, we vacate the judgment and remand this case for
an on-the-record consideration of the Martin factors and the entry of an appropriate judgment based on
those factors.
1
While in the custody of Melva, the children were kept out of school for one year. This caused
the children to be behind academically. There was testimony at trial that Dennis has them tutored and
that they are progressing in school.
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¶31. VACATED AND REMANDED.
SMITH, C.J., WALLER AND COBB, P.JJ., CARLSON AND RANDOLPH, JJ.,
CONCUR. EASLEY, J., CONCURS IN RESULT ONLY. GRAVES, J., DISSENTS
WITHOUT SEPARATE WRITTEN OPINION. DIAZ, J., NOT PARTICIPATING.
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