Ann Ruth Baehr Versus Staci Lyn Mangerchine and Raylan Kaine Melancon

• Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
• Decided: August 17, 2022
• Docket: 22-C-366
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

ANN RUTH BAEHR NO. 22-C-366

VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT

STACI LYN MANGERCHINE AND RAYLAN COURT OF APPEAL KAINE MELANCON STATE OF LOUISIANA

August 17, 2022

Susan Buchholz First Deputy Clerk

IN RE ANN RUTH BAEHR

APPLYING FOR SUPERVISORY WRIT FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE COMMISSIONER PATRICIA M. JOYCE, NUMBER 811-196

Panel composed of Judges Marc E. Johnson, John J. Molaison, Jr., and June B. Darensburg

WRIT GRANTED IN PART; JUDGMENTS STAYED; APPLICATION TRANSFERRED TO JUVENILE COURT

The instant application, which pertains to rulings on child custody made by a district court, asserts that the proper venue for this matter remains in juvenile court, which rendered the last custody order. The application presents a myriad of procedural and factual questions that we cannot resolve on the face of the petition, as filed. However, the application also contains several allegations about a child’s future care which, if true, are cause for concern. Expedited consideration has been requested, given the gravity of the rulings.

The relator, who is the child’s great aunt, had previously been granted provisional custody by the Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court on December 14, 2020, with the mother’s consent. That judgment, which is included in the writ application, provides in relevant part that the order would remain in effect “pending further orders.” While a juvenile court can exercise continuing jurisdiction in custody matters as per La. Ch. C. art. 309, in order to do so the case must meet certain criteria.

Jurisdiction is the legal power and authority of a court to hear and determine an action or proceeding involving the legal relations of the parties, and to grant the relief to which they are entitled. La. C.C.P. art. 1. The jurisdiction of a court over the subject matter of an action or proceeding cannot be conferred by consent of the parties; a judgment rendered by a court which has no jurisdiction over the subject matter of the action or proceeding is void. La. C.C.P. art. 3. On the showing made, we cannot determine whether the instant case falls under the juvenile court’s exclusive purview which, if established, would mean that all of the district court rulings complained of may be moot.

We are mindful that pleadings must be reasonably construed so as to afford litigants their day in court, to arrive at the truth and to avoid a miscarriage of justice. Pennebaker v. Jefferson Par., 383 So.2d 484, 486 (La. Ct. App. 1980), citing Hero Lands Company v. Texaco, Inc., 310 So.2d 93 (La. 1975). An appellate court shall render any judgment which is just, legal, and proper upon the record on appeal. La. C.C.P. art. 2164. Pursuant to La. Code Civ. P. art. 2164, courts of appeal have the power to remand a case for the introduction of additional evidence if grave injustice might result from failure to do so. Cottonport Bank v. Garrett, 012-0688 (La. App. 1st Cir. 12/21/12), 111 So.3d 431, 436, writ denied, 13-0165 (La. 3/1/13), 108 So.3d 1182. Such a remand is warranted only when the new evidence is likely to affect the outcome of the case. Id. Whether a particular case is remanded is a matter over which the court has much discretion and is governed by the particular facts and circumstances of each case. Id.

In this case, we find that a remand to ensure that the proper venue for the issues raised is a benefit to all concerned parties, and also serves the interest of judicial efficiency. Accordingly, all district court rulings in this matter are temporarily stayed, pending further orders of this Court. We transfer this application to the Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court, Division “A,” for a determination within 72 hours of this disposition on the issue of whether it has exclusive continuing jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to any of the grounds provided by La. Ch. C. art. 309. The writ application will then be supplemented by the relator with the juvenile court’s ruling by Monday, August 22, 2022 at noon for this court’s consideration.

Gretna, Louisiana, this 17th day of August, 2022.

JJM JBD

2 ANN RUTH BAEHR NO. 22-C-366

STACI LYN MANGERCHINE AND RAYLAN COURT OF APPEAL KAINE MELANCON STATE OF LOUISIANA

JOHNSON, J., CONCURS WITH REASONS I agree that the Juvenile Court is best equipped to determine whether it

can exercise its exclusive jurisdiction of this matter pursuant to La. Ch. C. art.

309. See Medus v. Medus, 379 So.2d 21 (La. App. 4th Cir. 1979), writ

denied, 381 So.2d 1235 (La. 1980). But, on its face, the December 14, 2020

judgment granting the voluntary transfer of custody of the minor child to Relator

does not specifically reserve the rights of the child’s absentee parents pursuant to

La. Ch. C. art. 1517. Therefore, I find Respondent’s pending action to annul the

judgment pursuant to La. C.C.P. art. 2004 in the district court is also supported

by jurisprudence. See Pollock v. Talco Midstream Assets, Ltd., 44,629 (La. App.

2 Cir. 9/23/09), 22 So.3d 1033, 1037–38. However, Respondent could also

pursue his nullity action in the Juvenile Court. Id. Thus, I find the December 7,

2020 judgment null and void and, unless Relator or the Juvenile Court is able to

supplement the record with additional evidence to support the Juvenile Court’s

exercise of exclusive jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to La. Ch. C. art. 309

within three days of this disposition, I would deny the writ.

MEJ

3 SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL

CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT

SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ FREDERICKA H. WICKER INTERIM CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK JUDE G. GRAVOIS MARC E. JOHNSON ROBERT A. CHAISSON . STEPHEN J. WINDHORST FIRST DEPUTY CLERK HANS J. LILJEBERG JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIFTH CIRCUIT MELISSA C. LEDET JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053) DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF POST OFFICE BOX 489 GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400

(504) 376-1498 FAX www.fifthcircuit.org

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE DISPOSITION IN THE FOREGOING MATTER HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 4-6 THIS DAY 08/17/2022 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, THE TRIAL COURT CLERK OF COURT, AND AT LEAST ONE OF THE COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR EACH PARTY, AND TO EACH PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:

22-C-366 E-NOTIFIED 24th Judicial District Court (Clerk) Honorable Patricia M. Joyce (DISTRICT JUDGE) Laura J. Todaro (Relator) Nicole R. Dillon (Respondent)

MAILED Johnnie Lee Theall (Respondent) Stacy Mangerchine (Respondent) April F. Jackson (Respondent) In Proper Person In Proper Person Attorney at Law 500 North Jackson Street 5272 Eudora Drive Post Office Box 3001 Kaplan, LA 70548 Addis, LA 70710 Baton Rouge, LA 70821 • Complete Items 1, 2, and 3. • Print your name and adchss on the reverse so that we can ratum the card to you. • Attach this card to the back of the mallplece, or on the front If space permits. 1. Article Add!9saed to: April F. Jackson Attorney at Law ..Post Office Box 300 I Baton Rouge, LA 7082 l 22-C-366 08-17-22

PS Fonn 3811, July 2015 PSN 7530-02-ooo-eo53 •

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• Complete Items 1, 2, and 3. • Print your name and address on the reverse so that we can return the card to you. • Attach this card to the back of the mallp19Q8, or on the front If space permits. 1. Article~ to: o. Is deUw1y addl9SS dllferent from Item 1? CJ Yes If Y~. enter deUvery address below: CJ No Johnnie Lee Theall, In Proper Person 500 North Jackson Street Kaplan, I .A 70548 22-C-366 08-17-22

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