Gloria Denise Walker v. Terry Dannett

Gloria Walker, after a hearing before the trial court, lost custody of her eight-year-old daughter to the childs father, Terry Chatfield. The initial custody determination had been decided in 1981 under the paternity statute, IND. CODE § 31-6-6.1-11. On January 11, 1988 Chatfield filed a petition for temporary custody, restraining order and a vacation of wage assignment alleging the child had been "abandoned" by Walker. The trial court granted the petition. After a hearing on January 22, 1988, the trial court left the temporary custody of the child with Chatfield, although the child was actually staying with Chatfields mother. The change separated the child not only from her mother, but also her two half-brothers (then ages 7 and 4) and her half-sister (then age 11). On September 13, 1988 the trial court awarded custody to Chatfield.