State ex rel. Lund v. Anderson

Wilson, C. J.

Habeas corpus on the relation of Hugo F. Lund in an effort to obtain the custody of his two children, Bert Dickerson Lund about two years of age, and Hugo Frank Lund, Jr. about six months of age. They are now in the custody of the respondent, their maternal grandmother.

Eelator and his wife, the mother of the children, were married October 12,1925. About May 12,1926, the wife left relator claiming her husband was cruel to her. In August, 1927, she returned to him but left him again about March, 1928. She left the children with the respondent and went to a hospital, where she has since remained in a very critical condition because of tuberculosis. If she lives *519 she is to have another child. A divorce suit is pending. Relator is helping to pay the hospital and medical expense but is apparently unable to meet the burden. He works at a local freight depot for $114 per month, his wages having recently been raised from $104. He has no property, but some debts. He proposes to take the children to the home of his aged father and mother. His mother is not able to care for them.

The respondent and her parents own and operate a 15-room boarding house. She has an income from this source of about $80 per month. She is a practical nurse with considerable experience. She has apparently made much sacrifice for her daughter and the children. The younger child has a tubercular condition of the skin and throat which necessitates unusual care as to sleeping place and diet. He is given only sterilized Avater, and his diet is prepared under the doctor’s direction. The respondent is peculiarly well qualified to carry the burden which she probably would gladly shift to the relator if she thought the children would be equally well cared for.

We do not overlook the natural right of the parent to have the custody of his children, but their Avelfare is the important and controlling element which must guide us to our conclusion. State ex rel. Henning v. Gundvaldson, 169 Minn. 385 , 211 N. W. 310 ; State ex rel. Pappenfus v. Kourtz, 173 Minn. 177 , 216 N. W. 937 . In this case the situation is unusual. The children need and are getting extraordinary attention and care Avhich relator for Avant of money and facilities cannot give them. He is already burdened in meeting his obligations incident to the condition of his Avife. We think it best for the children to remain where they are. The future may bring a different situation, and respondent must realize that the conclusion we reach may not be final. The record does not shoAV that relator is unfit to have the custody of his children. The Avrit is discharged Avithout prejudice.

Writ discharged.