Officers Dispatched After Mom Refuses to Exchange Custody at Walmart

Custody hearing in a paternity case between Colton Dwayne Wright Ray and Catherine Barrera Wheatley. The core issue is a dispute over visitation rights, specifically Mr. Ray's attempts to increase his time with his daughter, Noelli.

Here's a summary of the key points and arguments:

Mr. Ray's Arguments:

Existing Order Not Followed: The agreed order from April 23, 2021, included a provision for increased visitation beyond the scheduled every-other-weekend arrangement, but Ms. Wheatley consistently refused to cooperate.
Mother's Obstruction: Ms. Wheatley repeatedly denied Mr. Ray visitation, even when he was available and the child was in daycare. A specific incident at Walmart, detailed by Officer Hollis, further illustrates this obstruction.
50/50 Custody Prior to Petition: Mr. Ray claims he had a 50/50 custody arrangement before the petition was filed, which Ms. Wheatley abruptly ended.
Child's Last Name and Parental References: Ms. Wheatley is using her maiden name for the child and referring to her new boyfriend as "dad" while referring to Mr. Ray as "Daddy Colton," which he finds inappropriate.
Ms. Wheatley's Arguments:

Primary Caregiver: Ms. Wheatley asserts she has been the primary caregiver since birth, handling all parenting duties and financial responsibilities.
Father's Instability: She describes Mr. Ray as inconsistent with employment and financial contributions, alleging he lives in his mother's basement..
Threats and Harassment: Ms. Wheatley claims harassment and threats from Mr. Ray's family during visitation exchanges, leading to police involvement.
Alternate Weekend Sufficient: She argues that an alternate weekend visitation schedule is sufficient given Mr. Ray's circumstances.
Officer Hollis' Testimony:

Officer Hollis' testimony concerning the Walmart incident corroborates Mr. Ray's claim that Ms. Wheatley refused to allow the scheduled visitation exchange. However, his testimony is somewhat unclear and subject to cross-examination regarding his perception of the events and potential bias.

Rhonda Reid's Testimony (Mr. Ray's Mother):

Ms. Reid supports her son's claims, detailing the incident at Walmart and emphasizing the child's excitement to see her father. She denies harassing Ms. Wheatley.

The case highlights a common struggle in custody disputes: balancing the rights and responsibilities of both parents while prioritizing the child's well-being. The judge's concluding remarks emphasize the need for cooperation and communication between the parents to create a stable and supportive environment for their daughter.

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