State ex rel. Davenport v. Poindexter

Root, J.

-This is an original application for a writ of habeas corpus directing and commanding the above-named respondent to deliver, or to direct the delivery of, the possession, custody and control of Roy Elliott Pierce and John Edgar Pierce, two minors, to the above-named relators.

The material facts are substantially these: Relators were awarded the custody of said children by virtue of certain adoption proceedings, which are claimed by the mother of said children to have been fraudulent and invalid. Said mother instituted habeas corpus proceedings before the above-named respondent to recover the possession, custody and control of said minors, and the cause came on for hearing before said respondent, the children being brought into the custody of said court upon the writ issued. During the hearing said respondent directed that said minors should remain in the custody of one Mrs. Hubbard, the matron of the juvenile department of said court, and said children were placed in such custody and were there at the time the court rendered its final judgment and decree, wherein and whereby the care, custody and control of said minor children was awarded to their mother. From this judgment and decree an appeal was taken to this court, and a supersedeas bond duly filed by these relators. Thereafter, relators made a motion for the delivery of the possession, custody and control of said minors to them upon the ground that they had filed the supersedeas bond in the amount fixed by the court. This motion was denied by respondent.

It is contended here by relators that the filing of the supersedeas bond had the effect of leaving all parties in the position they occupied at the commencement of the habeas corpus proceedings before respondent, and that, as they then had the possession and custody of the children, they became immediately entitled thereto again upon the giving of said stay bond, and that a writ should issue requiring respondent to direct the delivery of said minors to r'elators. We do not think this position tenable. Where minor children are involved a much different consideration is presented than obtains with reference to mere property rights. The welfare of the children is a matter of prime importance and public concern, and must be the subject of careful consideration at all stages of any proceeding wherein their possession, custody or control is involved. In such a proceeding as this, we do not think the giving of a supersedeas bond has any effect whatever upon the possession, custody and control of the minor children in question. It being presumed that the order of the trial judge was correct, and that he was actuated by a consideration for the minors’ welfare, it would be against public policy to have that welfare imperiled during an appeal, in the absence of a statute clearly permitting the staying of such orders. The trial court had jurisdiction to take said children into its possession, if it believed that their physical or moral welfare or other substantial interests necessitated such action. When the appeal was perfected, this court became invested with jurisdiction to make such orders as the welfare and necessities of said minors might demand. If, as contended by relator, the present situation of these minors is so unsuitable as to menace their physical or moral welfare or other substantial interests, the question of an appropriate change could doubtless be considered by this court upon a proper showing. Irving v. Irving, 26 Wash. 122, 66 Pac. 123. But such a matter is not before us at this time. Relators are basing their right to the immediate possession of said children upon the supersedeas bond given as aforesaid. The giving of such bond does not entitle them to such possession. The application for the writ is denied.

Mount, C. J., Dunbar, Hadley, and Fullerton, JJ., concur.

Rudkin and Crow, JJ., took no part.