, 1899-03-02

An Act providing for the care and custody of certain minor children
providing the mode of procedure to be followed, and providing
certain duties for the County Attorneys.
Be il Enacted By the legislature Of the state of Wyoming:
Section l.. Whenever a petition shall be presented to
'he District Court, or Judge thereof, or to the Court Com
missioner of any County. by any person, supported by not
less than ten persons who are heads of families. setting
forth that there is i'll such County any child who is a County
charge, or any orphan. or any child deserted BY one or both
OF It's parents, which orphan or deserted child has no suitable
nome or abode. or any child of any infrm. INDECENT or in
competent person, or any child of any person who is support
cd in whole or in part from the public poor fund, or any
enid having no suitable home or abode, or any child having
vicious or immoral parents. or guardians, or in the custody
and control of vicious or immoral people, or surrounded by
vicious, corrupt or immoral influence. and the child of any
person who is confined in any penal or charitable institutions
OF TINS state, or any such child in the possession or under
he control of any person not the parent or Lawful guardian
thereof, or next of kin to such child, and that a guardian
should be appointed of the person of such child, setting
forth the grounds of such appointment, and such petition
verified 10y tn" affidavit of the petitioner or of some person
having knowledge of the facts, the District Court or Judge
thereof. OF Court Commissioner shall cause a notice and
citation to be given 10 the parents or guardian or person
having the control or custody of such child, citing such par
rnts or guardian or person in control or having the custody
of such child. to appear before such District Court. or the
Judge thereof. or such Court Commissioner. at the time and
place to be designated in said notice. not less than six nor
more than ten days after the service of such citation and such
n"'Ir" requiring such parent. or guardian or person i'll con-
troll and custody of such child to show cause why the PRAYER
of such prtitioncd should not be granted upon the hearing,
and if the Court shall be satisfied that it is for the best
interests of such Child Il guardian may be appointed, or the
Court may direct that such child be surrendered to any
association incorporated under the laws of or anv Society
doing active work in this State to secure homes for the
destitute children. under such terms and conditions as the
Court may deem proper and cNpedicnt.
Sec. The cilitation herein provided for. together with
Il copy of the petition upon which the same is based. shall
be served upon III" parent of guardian or person in whose
possession or in whose custody such child may be in the
same manner as Il summons in the District Court, and which
petition and citation must hr served at least six DAYS be-
for" the time designated in such citation for hearing.
Sec. >. When such petition is presented to the Court,
or Judge thereof. or to such Court Commissioners. properly
verified, it shall be the duty of the Court, or Judge thereof.
or such Court Commissioner. to order the Sheriff, or other
officer serving such process. to Immediately to take charge
of the child or children described in such petition and
citation and 70 retain possession of it or their subject to the
orders and direction of the Court, Judge thereof. or Court
Commissioner, until the hearing and determination of the
proceeding.
See. /. Where there are no parents or guardians upon
whom scTvic" can be made. as provided in this Act, the
citation and notice shall be published at least once a week
for two successive weeks in some paper to be designated
by the Court, or Judge thereof, or Court Commissioner, in
which case said citation shall not be returnable until not
less than six nor more than ten days after the last publica.
ton.
Sec. !. When service is made under the provisions
OF TINS Act, by publication, any person may within one year
from the time of the final order providing for the custody
OF any child, appear and upon notice to the petitioner or
his attorney of six days make application to set aside or
modify any order granted upon such hearing in any wav
affecting the custody of such child, and upon such hearing
the Court may make such further disposal of such child
as 1t shall deem for the best interests of such child.
Sec. &. II shall be the duty of the County Attorney to
prosecute all eases on behalf of the petitioner arising under
the provisions of this Act. but the petitioner shall have
the right to be represented by private counsel and tbe
costs OF all officers and witness fees and expenses shall he
chhrgeablc to the County of which said child shall he "A
resident, except the fees of private counsel and petitioner.
Sec. I. This Act shall take effect and he in force from
and after its passage.
Approved February 10th, A. d. 1899. 6