600433
IN THE JUVENILE COURT
OF ELBERT COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
IN THE INTEREST OF: K.N.S.
SEX: Male
AGE: 10 months
DOB: 11-17-19, A Child Under 18 Years of Age
Case No. 052-20J-61
NOTICE OF SUMMONS
To: Brenquisha Smith, Parece "Rockyell' Hall, or in the alternative, an unknown father and any other person claiming paternity of the above-named child.
You are hereby notified that the above-styled action, which seeks the termination of parental rights was filed against you in the Juvenile Court of Elbert County, Georgia on the 18th day of September, 2020. The mother of the child is Brenquisha Smith.
The petition alleges that the above-named child is a dependent child based upon neglect and abandonment and that it would be in the child's best interest that the parents' parental rights be terminated. The child is currently in the temporary custody of the Elbert County Department of Family and Children Services.
By reason of an order for publication filed on or about the 18th day of September, 2020,
YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED AND REQUIRED to appear before the Juvenile Court of Elbert County, Georgia on the 20th Day of November, 2020 at 9:30 o'clock a.m. at the Elbert County Government Complex, 45 Forest Avenue, Elberton, Georgia 30635.
The biological father who is not the legal father is hereby notified that:
You may lose all rights to the child named in this petition and will not be entitled to object to the termination of your rights to such child unless, within 30 days of receipt of notice, you file:
(1) A petition to legitimate such child; and
(2) Notice of the filing of the petition to legitimate with the court in which the termination of parental rights proceeding is pending.
If permitted by Court rules, these proceedings may be participated in by video conferencing or telephone through Cisco Webex software. If you want to opt in to appear virtually instead of in-person, then you must notify your counsel, if applicable, the SAAG on your case, and the Clerk of Court, at least 72 hours prior to the hearing date. If you choose to opt in, then you agree that you have the ability to maintain a telephonic or video connection, and further agree that if you are not able to maintain said connection that the hearing will continue in your absence and you waive your appearance for the rest of that proceeding.
The contact information for the Public Defender's Office is: 706-246-9320. The Elbert Clerk of Juvenile Court's contact number is: 706-283-2005. The SAAG's contact information is: whetsel.law@gmail.com.
NOTICE OF EFFECT OF
TERMINATION JUDGMENT
Georgia law provides that you can permanently lose your rights as a parent. A petition to terminate parental rights has been filed requesting the court to terminate your parental rights to your child. A copy of the petition may be obtained from the Clerk of Elbert County Juvenile Court, located at 12 S. Oliver Street, Elberton, Georgia, during normal business hours, exclusive of holidays. A free copy shall be available to the parents. Upon request, the copy will be mailed to the requester.
A court hearing for your case has been scheduled for the 20th day of November, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. at the Elbert County Juvenile Court, Elbert County Government Complex, 45 Forest Avenue, Elberton, Georgia 30635.
If you fail to appear, the court can terminate your parental rights in your absence.
If the court at the trial finds that the facts set out in the petition to terminate parental rights are true and that termination of your rights will serve the best interests of your child, the court can enter a judgment ending your rights to your child.
If the judgment terminates your parental rights, you will no longer have any rights to your child. This means that you will not have the right to visit, contact, or have custody of your child or make any decisions affecting your child or your child's earnings or property. Your child will be legally freed to be adopted by someone else.
Even if your parental rights are terminated:
(1) You will still be responsible for providing financial support (child support payments) for your child?s care unless and until your child is adopted; and
(2) Your child can still inherit from you unless and until your child is adopted.
This is a very serious matter. You should contact an attorney immediately so that you can be prepared for the court hearing. You have the right to hire an attorney and to have him or her represent you. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney if the court finds that you are an indigent person. Whether or not you decide to hire an attorney, you have the right to attend the hearing of your case, to call witnesses on your behalf, and to question those witnesses brought against you.
If you have any questions concerning this notice, you may call the telephone number of the clerk?s office which is: 706-283-2005.
If you want a lawyer appointed to represent you, you must contact the Court or the officer of this Court responsible for determining whether or not you are indigent. Said office is located at The Office of the Public Defender of the Northern Judicial Circuit, 461 Cook Street, Suite J, Royston, Georgia 30662, and the telephone number is 706-246-9320.
WITNESS the Honorable Warren C. Caswell, Judge of said Court.
This 18th day of September, 2020.Leigh Starrett, Clerk, Juvenile Court ofElbert County, Georgia
9-23,30,10-7,14
