IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF COLQU...

IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF COLQUITT COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA CASE # 035-24J-0109 IN THE INTEREST OF: A.L.V. SEX: F DOB: 09/02/2023 Child Under 18 Years of Age NOTICE OF SUMMONS TO: Mother, DEBRA ANN VILLARREAL; Putative Father, BONNY LEE LEWIS; and all other unknown Putative fathers or anyone else claiming to have a parental interest in the minor child referenced above. The whereabouts of said persons are unknown. YOU ARE NOTIFIED that the above-styled action seeking the termination of the parental rights of the Mother, DEBRA ANN VILLARREAL; Putative Father, BONNY LEE LEWIS; and all unknown putative fathers or persons claiming interest in the above minor child was filed against you in said Court on the 28th day of February, 2024, and that by reason of an Order for Service by Publication entered by the Court on the 28th day of February, 2024. NOTICE OF EFFECT OF TERMINATION JUDGMENT Georgia law provides that you can permanently lose your rights as a parent. A petition to terminate parental rights of the Mother, DEBRA ANN VILLARREAL; Putative Father, BONNY LEE LEWIS; and all unknown putative fathers or persons claiming parental interest in the minor children has been filed requesting the court to terminate your parental rights to your children. A copy of the petition to terminate parental rights is of file with the Juvenile Court of COLQUITT county. A court hearing of your case has been scheduled for the 8th day of May, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at the Colquitt County Courthouse, Third Floor Courtroom, 9 S. Main Street, Moultrie, GA 31768. If you fail to appear, the court can terminate your rights in your absence. If the court at the trial finds that the facts set out in the petition to terminate parental rights are true and that termination of your rights will serve the best interests of your child, the court can enter a judgment ending your rights to your child. If the judgment terminates your parental rights, you will no longer have any rights to your child. This means that you will not have the right to visit, contact, or have custody of your child or make any decisions affecting your child or your childs earnings or property. Your child will be legally freed to be adopted by someone else. Even if your parental rights are terminated: (1) You will still be responsible for providing financial support (child support payments) for your childs care unless and until your child is adopted; and (2) Your child can still inherit from you unless and until your child is adopted. This is a very serious matter. You should contact an attorney immediately so that you can be prepared for the court hearing. You have the right to hire an attorney and to have him or her represent you. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney if the court finds that you are an indigent person. Application for a court appointed attorney can be made by contacting the Juvenile Court Clerk of Courts Office located in the Colquitt County Courthouse, Moultrie, Georgia. The Clerks Office is physically located at 9 S. Main Street, Moultrie, GA 31768, and their phone number is 229-616-7420. Whether or not you decide to hire an attorney, you have the right to attend the hearing of your case, to call witnesses on your behalf, and to question those witnesses brought against you. If you have any questions concerning this notice, you may call the telephone number of the clerks office which is 229-616-7420. YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED AND REQUIRED to appear before the Juvenile Court of Colquitt County, Georgia, to be held at the Colquitt County Courthouse, Third Floor Courtroom, 9 S. Main Street, Moultrie, Georgia, on 8th day of May, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The hearing is for the purpose of determining whether or not parental rights should be terminated. A copy of the petition may be obtained from the Clerk of the Juvenile Court at the Colquitt County Courthouse, Moultrie, Georgia, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00a.m. until 5:00p.m., exclusive of holidays. A free copy shall be available to the parents. Upon request, the copy will be mailed to the requester. The child is presently in the custody of the Colquitt County Department of Family and Children Services. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that while responsive pleadings are not mandatory, they are permissible and you are encouraged to file with the Clerk of the Juvenile Court and serve upon Petitioners attorney, Robert D. Jewell, P.O. Box 895, Camilla, GA 31730, an answer or other responsive pleadings prior to the date and time of the above-stated hearing on this matter. Any Putative and/or Biological Father of the above-referenced child is hereby advised that you will lose all rights to the child and will not be entitled to object to the termination of your parental rights to the child unless, within 30 days of service of this notice, you file the following: (1) a petition to legitimate the child, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 19-7-22; and (2) a notice of the filing of the petition to legitimate with the Juvenile Court of Colquitt County, Georgia as required by O.C.G.A. 15-11-96(h); and unless after filing said petition to legitimate you prosecute it to a final judgment. WITNESS THE HONORABLE William M. McIntosh, Judge of said Court. This 28th day of February, 2024. /s/Brittany Fletcher, Deputy Clerk Colquitt County Juvenile Court 782318 03/27;04/03,10,17/2024