Supreme Court Declines to Rule in Lesbian-Custody Case
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected without comment an appeal by Lisa Miller-Jenkins, a biological mother who has been trying to deny visitation rights to her former partner Janet Miller-Jenkins. (Thanks, PageOneQ.) The case has bounced between the jurisdictions of Vermont and Virginia. Lisa Miller-Jenkins was attempting to appeal a Vermont Supreme Court ruling that the state’s civil-union law, rather than Virginia law, governs the dispute.
Earlier this month, a Vermont court gave Janet Miller-Jenkins the right to visit their five-year-old daughter Isabella, whom she hasn’t been able to see or contact in over two years. She is now seeking primary custody, with visitation rights for Lisa, because Vermont does not allow joint custody.
Whatever the legal ramifications of today’s decision, I have to imagine it’s best for Isabella to have the issue wrapped up as quickly as possible, and away from the glaring spotlight of a Supreme Court case.
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