Opinion ID: 1717373
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Extent of the Circuit Court's Jurisdiction

Text: Peggy pled not only for revocation of consent, but also for transfer of custody. Although the court considered the validity of Peggy's consent, it failed to take appropriate action regarding the custody of the child as required by § 453.110.2. The plain terms of § 453.110.2 require that when a transfer of custody is made without first obtaining the appropriate order, the court shall, upon petition of any interested person, order an investigation and report and enter a custody order based on the child's best interests. For purposes of this statute, Peggy qualifies as an interested person. Although the petition was cursory, it need only state facts that bring the child within the jurisdiction of that court. In the Interest of D.L.D., 701 S.W.2d 152, 158 (Mo.App. 1985). The petition filed below in the Circuit Court of Dunklin County alleged the unlawful removal of the child from Dunklin County to Arkansas and [t]hat it is in the best interest of the child that the consent be withdrawn, and Respondents ordered to immediately deliver the child to Petitioner. This was sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court of Dunklin County. Once jurisdiction of the court was invoked, the court was required by statute to order an investigation and report and to enter a custody order. As was stated in In re Adoption J.M.K., 347 S.W.2d 239, 241 (Mo.App.1961): Upon the filing of this petition the court acquired full and complete jurisdiction, by the very terms of the statute itself, to inquire into the facts and to make such orders as to the custody of the child as may be for the child's best interests; not the best interests of the parent or of the proposed adoptive parent. (Emphasis added). Consequently, the Circuit Court of Dunklin County not only acquired jurisdiction to order an investigation and report, to inquire into the facts and to make a custody determination, it was required to determine these things by statute, with its focus being the child's best interests. No such investigation or report was ordered here. Nor was a determination made as to the best interests of the child. The court only considered whether Peggy's consent could be revoked. [8] The cause is remanded for further proceedings in accordance with § 453.110.2. In these proceedings, the court will be called upon to exercise its best judgment as to whether the best interest of this baby girl will be served by allowing her to remain with Michael and Becky, by returning her to Peggy and/or Dennis, or by some other disposition.