Blevins v. Bardwell
Supreme Court of Mississippi
784 So. 2d 166 (Miss. 2001)
Relevant factsFree
Unmarried parents Adam Blevins (defendant) and Dawn Bardwell (plaintiff) had a child, Darby, while both served in the Air Force. After their relationship deteriorated, Dawn sought custody. Adam presented evidence that Dawn had an adjustment disorder and a provisional personality disorder, while Dawn presented evidence that Adam and his live-in father, whom Adam had moved in with to provide care, smoked heavily. The chancery court awarded joint legal custody but gave Dawn primary physical custody, weighing the parents' health and home environments in her favor, and Adam appealed.
IssueFree
Whether the primary consideration in all child-custody cases is the best interest and welfare of the child.