Langenberg v. Steen

[213 Or Page 151] SLOAN, Justice. This is a habeas corpus proceeding to determine the custody of Patricia Ellen Norton, the daughter of plaintiff
and her former husband, Bramwell Norton. Patricia was born on May 7, 1943, lawful issue of such marriage. When Patricia was
two months old, she was placed by her mother in the custody of defendant, Lenore Steen. The plaintiff and Bramwell Norton
were divorced by a decree of the circuit court for Linn county on February 1, 1944, which awarded custody of Patricia to her
father. After the entry of the decree, the father also committed the care of the child to Mrs. Steen and thereafter and until
his death on May 30, 1955, contributed to the support of said child, frequently visited her and retained an interest in her
welfare. With the exception of a short period in September and October of 1943, Mrs. Steen has had the custody [213 Or Page
152] of the child from about July 2, 1943, until the hearing of this proceeding in the lower court. This proceeding was filed
shortly after Bramwell Norton's death. The lower court awarded custody of Patricia, now 15 years of age, to the plaintiff.