The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-14
LITIGATION OVER A CHILD.
Robert b. Nnnten as the Defendant
in the Case


PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 1.-THE legal
battle between Robert B. 41antelI, the ac-
tor, and his sister-in-Iaw, Emma Behrens,
over the custody of pretty fve-year-oId
Ethel Robinson, which has been in several
tribunals. reached the Philadelphia courts
yesterday. Miss Behrens, through Attor-
neys John R. K. Scott, OF this city. and
Harry ScoYel. Of Camden. secured writ
Of habeas corpus directed against Actor
Aanten. commanding him TO produce the
child Eno IS in his custody, before the
Quarter Sessions Court on Saturday morn
ing next. when a hearing of her complaint
will be conducted b. Judge Audenried-
The securing Of the writ was enyeIoped
in much secrecy, Lawyers Scott and ScoYel
fearing that 8fantell would leave the jul
risdiCtiOn before the legal summons could
be served on him Attorney Scott how
ever. was successful in having the writ
served on ManteH at the Irving House, on
Walnut Street. just before 5 O'Clock
Whether or not little Ethel IS with Man
teH in this city could not be learned
The mother OF the child has been dead
some time, and a history of the case ig
contained in the petition filed by Miss
Eehrens- The fight for the possession Of
the child has been going on for some time
past. Legal proceedings were originally
instituted in the New Jersey courts. but
MauteII. il IL said. left that Jurisdiction
while the suit Was pending.
The petition OF Miss BehTens relates
that she is sister OF Mrs E. & Hume
to whom the child in dispute was born
on December -. 1895. the mother at
that time being the wife Of z. E. Hume
from, q no Was divorced on II rrb
-. 1896. At the time of the child's
birth the mother gave her into the Gus
tody OF the petitioner, who, until the
child was four and q half years Old
cared for her and gave her a mothers
protection The mother of the child was
an actress, and appeared upon the stage
under the name of Charlotte Behrens-
Mrs Hume, the day following her
divorce, the petition states married
NantelI in Chicago. where they were
appearing in the same company The
petitioner AYERS that Ethel is the
daughter of Charles Robinson. who was
living with Mrs. Hume. who WAS also
known as Charlotte Robinson, and that
after her marriage to Mantell the latter
showed considerable affection for the
child. it being his earnest desire to OBJ
tain her from the petitioner, but this was
refused him. the petitioner stating that
she, by tender care had acquired a deep
affection for the child and she thought
him wholly incompetent to care for little
Etel.
1t is further averred that during May
last ManteH summoned the petitioner and
the child to Jersey City, and while there
rorcibly obtained possession Of Ethel and
took her to Montreal. Canada and sub
sequently informed the petitioner that If
she would accompany him and the child
to Europe he would then return the little
girl to her They went on the voyage.
and while in Belfast Manten. with the
child In his custody departed for this
country. leaving the petitioner behind.
The chiId's aunt says that ManteII is
forcibly and Illegally restraining and de-
privfng little Ethel of her lawful free
dom, wherefore she prayed that the writ
issue commanding the actor to produce
the child IN court.
Judge Breezy allowed the writ but as
Judge Audenried presidss in court on Sat
urday he will no doubt conduct the hear
ina