IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF FAYETTE COUNTY,
WEST VIRGINIA
IN THE INTEREST OF
M.A. 03/03/2016
Juvenile Abuse Neglect Nos. 20-JA-171
Judge Thomas H. Ewing
Adult Respondents:
Meghan Atha
Noah Shaffer and/or unknown biological father of M.A.
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
To Whom It May Concern:
The purpose of this action is to protect the child respondent, 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, M.A. Further, the Petitioner is seeking to locate Noah Shaffer and/or the unknown biological father of Child Respondent M.A., their whereabouts are unknown. Meghan Atha is the biological mother of M.A., who was born on March 3, 2016.
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 Noah Shaffer and/or the unknown biological father of Child Respondent M.A., are presently unknown at this time, it is Ordered that Noah Shaffer and/or the unknown biological father of Child Respondent M.A., obtain from the Fayette County Circuit Clerk at the Fayette County Courthouse, Fayetteville, West Virginia, the Petition filed in this matter. Noah Shaffer and/or the unknown biological father of Child Respondent M.A., must appear and defend on or before Friday, February 12, 2021, at 9:00 a.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 Noah Shaffer and/or the unknown biological father of Child Respondent M.A., be advised of their right to have counsel at every stage of these proceedings. Noah Shaffer and/or the unknown biological father of Child Respondent M.A., 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 respondent, M.A., shall be represented by counsel at every stage of these proceedings. The Guardian ad Litem appointed for said child is Jamison Conrad, P.O. Drawer 958, Fayetteville, WV, 25840; 304.574.2800.
ENTERED by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Fayette County this 19th day of January, 2021.
WILLIAM C. BURDICK
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
DEBORAH B. HENDRICK, CLERK
Fayette County Circuit Court
Fayette County, West Virginia
Jan. 22, 29