Orndoff v. Orndoff

• Decision Date: 04 March 1969
• Docket Number: No. 133,133
• Citation: 250 A.2d 627,252 Md. 519
• Court: Maryland Court of Appeals
• Parties: Richard Clyde ORNDOFF v. Sandra Lee ORNDOFF.

Page 519

252 Md. 519

250 A.2d 627

Richard Clyde ORNDOFF v. Sandra Lee ORNDOFF.

No. 133.

Court of Appeals of Maryland.

March 4, 1969.

John C. Sullivan, Cumberland, for appellant.

Thomas N. Berry, Cumberland, for appellee.

Before HAMMOND, C. J., and MARBURY, McWILLIAMS, FINAN and SINGLEY, JJ.

MARBURY, Judge.

On May 10, 1968, the Circuit Court for Allegany County dismissed the appellant Richard Clyde Orndoff's petition for change of custody of his minor son, which had been awarded to his former wife under a decree a vinculo matrimonii dated January 31, 1968. From the order dismissing the petition the father has appealed.

The appellant and the appellee-mother Sandra Lee Orndoff were married on August 30, 1965. Their son Shawn Richard Orndoff, whose custody is the subject of this appeal, was born on September 3, 1966. The mother obtained a divorce a mensa et thoro from the appellant on July 5, 1967, and was granted custody of Shawn. On January 31, 1968, the appellant received a decree awarding him a divorce a vinculo matrimonii from appellee on the ground of adultery. In that decree the court awarded custody of the child to the mother with the right of reasonable visitation to the father. No appeal was taken from that decree, but on February 19, 1968, appellant filed a petition alleging that additional evidence had been obtained since the last divorce hearing to show the unfitness of the mother to have custody of the child. After testimony was presented at a hearing the court was of the opinion that the best interest and welfare of the child would be served by continuing custody in the mother, and dismissed appellant's petition. On appeal from that action the single issue presented is whether the lower court erred in refusing to change custody.

Much of the testimony offered on appellant's behalf was given by his mother, Mrs. Clyde Orndoff, and by a part-time detective, George Thomas. The appellant also testified, as did two baby sitters, Ramona Washington and Linda Bullett. The appellee was not represented by counsel at the hearing and her evidence consisted solely of her testimony.

Briefly, the appellant attempted to show that the appellee had continued an illicit relationship with one Gary Barncord, who had been named as the paramour when appellant obtained his divorce on the ground of adultery. Appellant, his mother, and Thomas testified to the appellee's activity on January 27 and 28, 1968. All three observed the appellee, Barncord and another couple in the State Line Inn. Thomas testified that he, Mrs. Clyde Orndoff and appellant observed Barncord and the appellee enter her home about 4:00 a. m. and that the lights went out a few minutes later. Shortly thereafter both appellant and his mother left, but Thomas testified that he remained there until eight o'clock in the morning. When asked if he knew whether Barncord came out during the time that he was there, Thomas responded 'No, sir.' Thomas also testified concerning appellee's activities on several other occasions. On inquiry from the court Thomas admitted that he had not been retained in his capacity as a detective, but that his services were rendered out of friendship.

The testimony of appellant's mother and Thomas regarding whether Barncord stayed at the appellee's home upon returning from an evening out on January 28 was contradicted by the baby sitters, Ramona Washington and Linda Bullett, both of whom were witnesses for the appellant. These two girls stated that on the evening in question that the appellee did not return with Barncord but came back alone. On her own behalf the appellee denied that Barncord had ever stayed at her home overnight at any time. Further, she testified that the appellant had not seen his son for...