IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
FAYETTE COUNTY,
WEST VIRGINIA
IN THE INTEREST OF:
Juvenile Abuse Neglect Nos.
I.E. 07/10/2013 21-JA-10
M.A. 03/16/2018 21-JA-11
Judge Thomas H. Ewing
Adult Respondents:
Sara Blackburn
David Epperson
John Arthur
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
To Whom It May Concern:
The purpose of this action is to protect the child respondents, I.E and M.A., from abuse and neglect. The Petitioner, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, is seeking legal and physical custody of said child respondent, I.E. Further, the Petitioner is seeking to locate Sara Blackburn and David Epperson, their whereabouts are unknown. Sara Blackburn is the biological mother of I.E., who was born on July 10, 2013; and M.A., who was born on March 16, 2018.
Counsel for the Petitioner, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, is William C. Burdick, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, 108 East Maple Avenue, Fayetteville, West Virginia, 25840.
It appearing that the whereabouts of Sara Blackburn and David Epperson are presently unknown at this time, it is Ordered that Sara Blackburn and David Epperson obtain from the Fayette County Circuit Clerk at the Fayette County Courthouse, Fayetteville, West Virginia, the Petition filed in this matter. Sara Blackburn and David Epperson must appear and defend on or before Monday, April 19, 2021, at 2:30 p.m., in the Courtroom of the Honorable Thomas H. Ewing, Fayette County Courthouse Judicial Annex, Fayetteville, West Virginia, at which time an adjudicatory hearing will be held. Failure to answer and defend could result in a default judgment, and loss of parental rights.
Further, it is hereby Ordered that Sara Blackburn and David Epperson be advised of their right to have counsel at every stage of these proceedings. Sara Blackburn and David Epperson are further advised that such proceedings may result in the severance of parental rights and the transfer of custody of said child unto the Petitioner.
The child respondents, I.E., and M.A., shall be represented by counsel at every stage of these proceedings. The Guardian ad Litem appointed for said children is Vickie Hylton, P.O. Box 928, Beaver, WV 25813; 304.461.3016.
ENTERED by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Fayette County this 15th day of March, 2021.
WILLIAM C. BURDICK
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Deborah B. Hendrick, Clerk
Fayette County Circuit Court
Fayette County, West Virginia
ID: 484503