Case Summary

Ella Epps, mother of Georgia A. Risch, petitioned on behalf of her grandson Henry Laverne Risch. Georgia and Arthur A. Risch had started proceedings for a divorce around the time of the petition, but had agreed to leave Henry with Ella while the divorce was going on. Ella described Arthur as an alcoholic, "a man of violent temper" and often used "vile, violent and obscene language" towards Georgia. Georgia was also only 17, meaning that Arthur must have married and impregnated her at the age of 15 or 16 at the latest. Epps then claimed that Arthur violently took Henry from her on August 5, 1913 and placed him in the care of two individuals referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Lyons. Henry was sick and in need of certain medications and care. Ella stated that they refused to let Georgia see him or provide him with necessary medication. The writ was allowed and Henry was placed in the immediate custody of Georgia.

Case Information

Petition type(s)

• Interpersonal

Petition subtype(s)

• Child custody

Outcome

Writ allowed

Fate of bound party

New custody arrangement reached

Case Citation

Douglas County District Court, Criminal Appearance Docket Books, Vol. 16: ca.1913-1914, p. 145; Douglas County District Court, RG230 Douglas County Records, Subgroup 10: District Court, 1855-1972, Series 7: Criminal Case Files, 1897-1920, Roll 54: Doc. 16-123 to 16-326, Jul. 11, 1913 - Oct. 6, 1913, No. 16-145 (microfilm)

Source material(s)

Docket | Case File

Length of case file

Between 11 and 20 pages

Repository(s)

• History Nebraska (Lincoln, Nebraska)
• Douglas County District Court (Omaha, Nebraska)

State

• Nebraska

Tag(s)

• Children

People

• Risch, Arthur A. (respondent)
• Epps, Ella (petitioner)
• Risch, Henry LaVerne (bound party)
• , Mr. Lyons (holding party)
• , Mrs. Lyons (holding party)
• English, James P. (judge)
• Cunningham, M. O. (petitioner attorney)