Kerri Lynne Jones and Cheryl Pike Barlow took part in a Vermont civil union when Barlow was pregnant, in 2001. The couple broke up in 2003, after having spent the intervening years taking equal part in parenting the now 3-year-old girl, whose birth certificate shows a joint last name.
The judge in the case, Third District Judge Timothy Hanson, described the case as not being about gay parents vs. straight parents, but:
''What this case is about, is whether or not a child is better off in this rather uncertain world, with as many people as possible taking an interest in the child, both financially and emotionally,'' the judge said in an October court hearing.
Last week, Hanson granted supervised visitation to Keri Lynne Jones, of Taylorsville, on two days a month and on Christmas Day. After six months, visitation will increase to alternating overnight weekends, and Jones will be required to support the child financially.
Barlow has filed an appeal, and is asking that the visitation not begin until the case is resolved, citing in part that Jones has not had significant contact with the girl in the last year.
What a great strategy! Bar the ex from seeing the child, then use the person's absence as a reason to bar further visitation!!! I'll have to remember that one...