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Lafayette Father and Daughters Sentenced for Child Nutrition Fraud

Brian Paul Desormeaux (64) was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison on February 3, 2025, for leading a yearslong conspiracy to defraud the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program. His daughters Amy Desormeaux Hernandez (38) and Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux (35) were each sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for wire fraud convictions. The scheme involved submitting false fire marshal inspection reports and claims for inactive providers, diverting over $500,000 in federal nutrition funds for personal use.

Georgia Rural Physician Credit Tax Regulations

The Georgia Department of Revenue establishes detailed administrative rules for the rural physician income tax credit under O.C.G.A. § 48-7-29, including definitions for rural county, rural physician, rural hospital, and credit eligibility criteria. Qualifying rural physicians may claim a credit not exceeding $5,000 annually for up to five consecutive years, with specific provisions addressing census-year transitions and grandfathering for physicians practicing in counties that change rural status.

In re D.W. — Legal Custody Affirmed to Third Parties

The Ohio Court of Appeals, Ninth Judicial District, affirmed the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division judgment granting legal custody of child D.W. to paternal grandmother and her long-term partner. The appellate court rejected Mother's claim that the trial court's custody determination was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Mother had failed to comply with her case plan objectives, including obtaining substance use and mental health assessments, submitting to drug screens (she consistently tested positive for methamphetamine over six months), and demonstrating the ability to meet the child's basic needs.

Georgia Job Tax Credit Regulations

The Georgia Department of Revenue (GA DOR) published regulations governing various state income tax credits under Chapter 560-7. The document includes definitions and rules for the Rural Physician Credit under O.C.G.A. § 48-7-29, establishing qualifying criteria based on county population density (persons per square mile or population thresholds by decennial census) and physician specialty requirements. A qualifying rural physician may claim a credit not exceeding $5,000 annually for up to five consecutive years. Rural physicians currently practicing in counties affected by census updates may continue qualifying under grandfather provisions. Healthcare providers and rural hospitals seeking to claim or facilitate patient access to these tax credits should verify current county eligibility classifications and ensure physician qualifications align with the field-of-practice requirements.

Hunter v. Cooper - Recusal Appeal Affirmed

The Tennessee Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's denial of Father's motion for recusal on April 22, 2026, finding no error in the ruling. The appellate court applied de novo review under Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 10B to the recusal motion Father filed in this parenting order modification case.

Lafayette Woman Sentenced for Defrauding USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program

Lenzi Desormeaux Babineaux, 35, of Rayne, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 6, 2025, to a year and a day in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Babineaux served as Senior Program Manager for Regional Nutrition Assistance, Inc. (RNA), a Sponsoring Organization for the federal food program administered by the Louisiana Department of Education, and submitted fraudulent claims for payment. Babineaux's father Brian Desormeaux and sister Amy Desormeaux Hernandez have each pleaded guilty and are scheduled for sentencing on February 3, 2026. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Louisiana State Office of Inspector General.

Reuben Lopez Avery v. Teri Joanne Avery - Child Custody Relocation Affirmed

The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed a district court order granting a mother's motion to relocate with two minor children from Minnesota to Iowa. The court rejected the father's seven arguments on appeal, including claims of improper filings, excluded testimony, judicial advocacy, and coordination with the other party. The district court had found the mother in civil constructive contempt for relocating without consent but later purged the contempt upon granting her relocation motion after applying the best-interests analysis under Minnesota Statutes section 518.175, subdivision 3.

Wilson-Greenwood v. Wilson - OFP Denial Affirmed

The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's denial of a petition for an order for protection (OFP) filed on behalf of a 12-year-old child against his father. The mother argued the district court violated her son's due process rights by declining to interview the child or permit his testimony. The appellate court upheld the district court's finding that the child lacked sufficient maturity, age, and ability to provide reliable testimony regarding the domestic abuse allegations.

In Interest of AME - Child Support Arrearages Orders Affirmed

The Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed district court orders adopting magistrate rulings in a protracted child support arrearages dispute between J.L.E. (mother) and J.J.H. (father) that has been ongoing since 2013. The appellate court rejected mother's challenges to the magistrate's denial of her motion to disqualify and upheld the $3,500 attorney fees award to father under section 13-17-102, C.R.S., finding mother's 2021 petition for review lacked substantial justification. The court also affirmed that the magistrate's prior satisfaction of judgment order resolved all outstanding child support arrearages. The case is remanded with directions.

Grandfathering Registration Notice - Heidelberg Materials and National Limestone Quarry

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published a notice listing Grandfathering Registration certificates issued during March 2026 pursuant to 18 CFR part 806, subpart E. Two projects received GF Certificates: Heidelberg Materials Northeast LLC for the Salona Quarry (GF-202603312) and National Limestone Quarry Inc. for the Paxtonville Facility (GF-202603313). Both certificates cover water withdrawal and consumptive use activities.

Peo in Interest of DJC - Parental Rights Termination Affirmed

The Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed the juvenile court's judgment terminating the parental rights of B.W. (mother) and M.C. (father) to D.J.C. (child), who tested positive for methamphetamine at birth. The appellate court rejected the parents' claims that their respective counsel were ineffective for failing to subpoena the Department caseworker to testify at the termination hearing. The court found the parents failed to allege with sufficient specificity that they were prejudiced by counsel's performance, noting that the caseworker's supervisor testified on all three days of the hearing and that the caseworker was terminated from employment. The father's additional claim that the Department failed to make reasonable rehabilitation efforts was also rejected.

Re N (Paternity: Unregulated Sperm Donor)

The High Court of Justice Family Division, presided over by Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, delivered judgment in the matter of Re N concerning the paternity of a child conceived through an unregulated sperm donor arrangement. The court considered applications under the Family Law Act 1986 for declarations of parentage in circumstances where the biological father donated sperm outside a licensed fertility clinic. This case establishes judicial guidance on the legal status and parental rights of individuals who provide sperm without undergoing regulated fertility treatment.

Duncan v. Duncan - Wyoming Affirms Custody Modification

The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed the district court's order modifying custody of two minor daughters from Mother (Nurian E. Duncan) to Father (Michael P. Duncan). The court found sufficient evidence of a material change in circumstances—specifically Mother's conduct in kicking the oldest daughter out of the home in November 2024—warranting a modification of the 2019 custody order. Father filed his petition in late 2024 after Mother kicked the eldest daughter out, and the district court ultimately granted primary custody to Father based on the Guardian ad Litem's recommendation and analysis of the statutory best-interest factors under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 20-2-201. The modification also included revised visitation and child support provisions.

Wilson v. Montgomery – Custody Appeal Affirmed

The Ohio Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment granting Kelly Moore's motion to intervene in a custody case filed by Joyce Wilson, the maternal grandmother of two minor children. The appellate court held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing intervention without an attached pleading, as Moore's motion stated his purpose and basis for claims. The court also upheld the order for genetic testing, finding that R.C. 3119.962 provides an alternative mechanism to rescind paternity acknowledgment through genetic testing without the time restrictions in R.C. 3111.28. This decision allows Moore, the putative father of the elder child, to pursue parental rights after the children's mother died in a car accident.

Matter of S.J.C. - Parental Rights Termination Affirmed

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the termination of Father J.C.'s parental rights to four children (A.J.C., N.M.C., A.R.C., and S.J.C.), rejecting his argument that the District Court improperly attributed Mother's conduct to him and affirming grounds under §§ 41-3-609(1)(d) and 41-3-609(1)(f), MCA. The Court also upheld the finding that Father failed to complete the court-ordered treatment plan and erred in not considering guardianship in lieu of termination. The decision, Case No. DA 25-0600, was issued on April 21, 2026.

In re Parenting of R.A.A. - Home State Jurisdiction Affirmed

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the Nineteenth Judicial District Court's dismissal of Father Jonathan Edward Allen's emergency custody petition, holding that Montana lacked home state jurisdiction over R.A.A. because the minor child had not resided in Montana for more than two years before the petition was filed. The Court also declined to overturn the Court of Appeal of The Hague's decision that R.A.A. had become settled in the Netherlands after being wrongfully removed from the United States in August 2023. Mother Petronella Gerline (Van Oosterom) Allen remains the prevailing party.

In Interest of AME v. J.J.H. — Child Support Arrearages Appeal

The Colorado Court of Appeals dismissed in part, affirmed, and remanded a Douglas County family court matter involving J.L.E. (mother) and J.J.H. (father). The district court had struck mother's petition for review as duplicative of an appeal already pending in A.M.E. II and imposed filing restrictions requiring mother to seek court permission before future filings, citing her pattern of irrelevant and frivolous pleadings. The appellate court upheld these restrictions and the underlying orders from March 26, March 27, and April 9, 2024.

Scott Keith Lannom v. Renee Alyce Lannom - Parenting Plan Modification Affirmed

The Tennessee Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's dismissal of a mother's petition to modify the permanent parenting plan, ruling she failed to prove a material change of circumstance affecting the child's well-being. The court also awarded the father his reasonable attorney's fees on appeal pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-5-103(c).

Margin Requirement Raised from 80% to 100%

The Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing Stock Exchanges, upon CSRC approval, have raised the minimum margin ratio for leveraged securities purchases from 80% to 100%. The adjustment applies only to newly opened margin trading contracts, with existing contracts and roll-overs grandfathered under prior rules. The policy aims to moderately reduce market leverage following a period of active margin trading growth.

Rose v. Malone - Grandparent Visitation Contempt; Recusal Sequencing Error

The Tennessee Court of Appeals vacated the trial court's August 2023 bond orders and contempt order in Rose v. Malone, finding the trial court erred by entering orders on contempt and bond before adjudicating the father's pending recusal motion. The appellate court also reversed the trial court's orders awarding attorney's fees to the grandparents and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

State v. Davidson - Extension Denied Appeal Affirmed

The Hawai'i Intermediate Court of Appeals affirmed the Circuit Court's denial of Matthew Carter Davidson's Motion for Extension of Time to File a Notice of Appeal. Davidson sought an extension beyond the 30-day deadline to appeal his January 29, 2024 Amended Judgment of Conviction and Probation Sentence. The court rejected Davidson's claims that his father's serious illness and his own mental health issues constituted good cause for the extension.

Watch DOGS Volunteer Program Brings Father Figures to Littlerock Elementary

Littlerock Elementary in the Tumwater School District launched the Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) volunteer program. Principal Tamara York collaborated with teachers and the Parent Teacher Organization to establish the program following a community meeting in February 2025 that drew approximately 50 fathers and male caregivers. Volunteers spend full school days assisting with classroom activities, math instruction, reading support, and recess supervision.