Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-28
PERKINS BABY HOME:
ITS FATHER IS In JAIL
rIother Wept for Joy as
She Clasped the Lit
tie Girl to Her
Heart

With a cry Of Joy little Ruby Perkins
was Saturday delivered into the arms
Of her mother.
my darling" sobbed the mother as she
caressed her child. The little girl clasped
its chubby arms about its mothers neck
and nestled it's cheek loving against hers.
Clarence Perkins, charged with kidnap-
ing his own child, was taken back to the
Tower, handcuffed, to await his trial
Tuesday morning before Justice Of the
Peace Orr.
The stealing of the child by Perkins
from the home Of its mother at 1877 Foun-
dry street and his swift run with his
wifes sister in close pursuit. created un-
usual excitement among the residents OF
that section. When the case was called
before Justice Orr Saturday the little
court room was packed almost to suffo-
cation.
For over an hour the principals in the
case waited the arrival of the warrant for
Perkins arrest, which was in the pos
session of Mrs. Perkins attorney. Per-
kins. with his sister, Mrs. Jessie Leavys
and Miss Leke Quinn, his principal wit
ness, occupied seats in the rear Of the
court room laughing and chatting, while
the man smoked numerous cigarettes
In the front Of the room was Mrs. PERI
kins, her father, and her sister, Miss Dora
Rice, who followed Perkins for over q
mile when he seized the child
At II o'clock little baby Perkins, much
to the surprise of every one in the court
room, was brought over to Justice Orr's
court in buggy. The father OF Fer
kins who resides at "a Linden avenue.
had called UP. police headquarters at 10
o'clock and notified Call Officers Chand-
Ter and Covington that the child was at
his home. The Officers went 70 the house
and secured the little baby. They gave
Il to Matron Bohefeld at headquarters.
49, Dell Ice hn
office of Ordinary Wilkinson and secured
writ of habeas corpus for the child.
1t was then brought into Judge Orr's
court by Sergeant Beavers. When the
officer reached the court room Mrs. Per-
kins and her cister, Miss Rice, rushed
into the street, seized the child from
the officer, Mrs. Perkins huggihg IL to
her breast and showered kisses on its
chubby little face. The child, happy to
be once again with its mother, wrapped
its arms about her neck and would not
be taken away.
AS soon as the child was taken .nto
the court room r. ]. Jordan, Perkins
attorney, said that they would not fight
the ha.beas corpus proceedings. but would
allow the mother TO keep the child until
the matter had been settled in the courts.
Then Justice Orr announced that he
would postpone the hearing OF the KID
naping warrant until next Thursday
IL would be finally heard.
While q bailiR was making ready TO
take Perkins back to the Tower Perkins
called George Scarratt, a witness for
Mrs. Perkins, to where he was standing
and made an effort to strike him. Scar
ratr, however, avoided difficulty with
Perkins. Mrs. Perkins with her baby
clasped close in her arms and accompa-
MED by her father and sister, left the
court room.
Justice Orr, after Perkins had been re-
turned to jail, stated that he had had his
authority to issue warrant charging kid
naping to Perkins questioned.
1.-THE supreme court has held that a
father can not kidnap his own child" he
said. ''but the supreme court has held
that a father can kidnap his own child
II he has lost parental control over the
child. 1 know nothing Of the merits Of
this case, but the warrant was issued on
the representation of Miss Dora Esice. the
child's aunt, Who claims that Perkins has
lost parental control over Ruby.
zone of the ways in which father loses
such control as laid down by the supreme
court, is as follows: "A father loses pa
rental control by failure TO provide the
necessaries for the child or by abandon-
ment'
ut is charged that Perkins has done
both, and it was for this reason that I
issued the warrant"
Perkins and his wife have been married
three years. Perkins was. at that time,
only IS years of age. and was learning
his trade as a fnachinist. He was mar
.ried near Covington.
It is charged that he deserted his wife
before the child was born, but claims that
his wife left him. Mrs. Perkins is said to
be older than her husband.