Robalina v. Armstrong

| N.Y. Sup. Ct. | Sep 6, 1852

By the Court, Willard, P. J.

The father had no right to the custody of the plaintiff against her consent. (The King v. Soper, 5 D. & E. 278. The King v. Hopkins, 7 East, 579.) The same principle has been repeatedly adjudged in this state. The mother of a bastard child is entitled,to its custody; but if it appears that the child is abused, the court will interfere in behalf of the child, and direct it to be placed elsewhere. (The People v. Landt, 2 John. 375. Carpenter v. Whitman, 15 Id. 208. The People v. Kling, 6 Barb. Rep. 366.) The rule is the same in Massachusetts. ( Wright v. Wright, 2 Mass. Rep. 109. 2 Kent’s Com. 215.) There was no pretense that-the plaintiff was not well treated by her mother, or that her mother relinquished her custody. On the contrary there was some evidence that the defendant had fraudulently obtained the possession of the child.

As the possession of the plaintiff by the defendant was wrongfully obtained, and was wrongfully maintained, until terminated by the interposition of the law, an action for false imprisonment was the proper remedy. This action can be maintained only .in the name of the infant, whose rights were violated. The recovery is for the benefit of the child, and not of the parent. (Plummer v. Webb, Ware, 75.) If the parent sustains an injury, for loss of service or for medical attendance, by the abduction of his child, he can maintain ah action for that cause. But for the personal injury to the child, the action must be in the name of the child. (Reeve’s Dom. Rel. 291.) This doctrine was directly involved in Whitney v. Hitchcock, (4 Denio, 461-3,) and in Cowden v. Wright, (24 Wend. 429, 30:) and it was distinctly affirmed by Bronson, Ch. J., in Bartley v. Ritchmyer, (4 Comst. 43.)

[Fulton General Term, September 6, 1852.

Willard, Hand, Cady and C. L. Allen, Justices.]

The necessity of the action being brought in the name of the infant, when the injury was inflicted upon her, and where the object is to recover damages for that injury, does'not admit of a doubt, either upon principle or authority.

From what has been already said, it is plain that the defendant’s offer to show that he was in a better condition to maintain the child than her mother, was properly overruled by the learned judge. As against the mother he had no right to the custody of the plaintiff. (6 Barb. 366, supra.)

There must be judgment for the plaintiff.