Nierenhausen v. United States of America

• Court: District Court, District of Columbia
• Decided: August 28, 2025
• Docket: Civil Action No. 2025-2300
• Status: Published

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PASCHA STOIT NIERENHAUSEN, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) Civil Action No. 25-2300 (UNA) ) THE UNITED STATES, et al., ) ) Defendants. )

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This matter is before the Court on consideration of Plaintiff’s application to proceed in

forma pauperis (ECF No. 2), and pro se Complaint (ECF No. 1). The Court GRANTS the

application and DISMISSES the complaint and this civil action without prejudice.

As best the Court can tell, having reviewed the complaint and exhibits, this action

pertains to the custody of Plaintiff’s daughter. Generally, “a federal court will not take

jurisdiction over a case if that would require it to grant a divorce, determine alimony or support

obligations, or resolve parental conflicts over the custody of their children.” Bennett v. Bennett,

682 F.2d 1039, 1042 (D.C. Cir. 1982) (citations omitted); see Ankenbrandt v. Richards, 504 U.S.

689, 703 (1992). Matters regarding the interests of Plaintiff’s daughter are “within the peculiar

province, experience, and competence of the state courts.” Bennett, 682 F.2d at 1039.

Because the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the complaint and this civil action

must be dismissed. An Order is issued separately.

/s/ JIA M. COBB United States District Judge DATE: August 28, 2025