IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF WEBSTER COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA - THE PETITIONS OF BRYAN JOHNSON AND SARA JOHNSON

 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF WEBSTER COUNTY 

WEST VIRGINIA

IN RE: THE PETITIONS OF BRYAN JOHNSON AND SARA JOHNSON, husband and wife, for the stepparent adoptions of children under the age of eighteen years, M.M.S. and A.A.S., and for their names to be changed to A.A.J. and M.M.J.

CIVIL ACTION NO. 

25-A-6; 25-A-7

    Arthur A. Smith, whose last known address was 6133 Crenshaw Road, Norton, Virginia 24273, and whose current place of residence and whereabouts are unknown and cannot with reasonable diligence be ascertained, will take notice that on June 10, 2025, Bryan Johnson, stepfather, filed his Petition for Adoption of A.A.S. (DOB: 3/21/2020) and M.M.S. (DOB: March 22, 2022) in the Circuit Court of Webster County, West Virginia docketed under Case Numbers 25-A-6 and 25-A-7, respectively, praying that he be permitted by order of the court, to adopt, as his own children, A.A.S. and M.M.S., and to change their last names. The Petition alleges that Arthur A. Smith, the natural father, has abandoned the children, A.A.S. and M.M.S., by failing, without justifiable cause, to provide more than de minimis contact with the minors or to provide for the maintenance and support of the minors as required by law or judicial decree for a period of at least six (6) consecutive months preceding the filing of the Adoption Petition. 

    A final decree of adoption, if granted, will relieve you of all parental rights and responsibilities. If you wish to contest the adoptions, you must file an objection, in writing, and appear at the hearing. A final decree of adoption may be entered if you fail to file an objection to the adoption petitions or appear at the hearing. The Petitions will be heard for determination by the Honorable Judge Jasmine R. H. Morton in the Circuit Court of Webster County, located at 2 Court Square, Webster Springs, 26288, on September 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. This Notice shall be published for a period of two weeks as a Class II Legal Advertisement in The Coalfield Progress, a newspaper in the publication area of Norton, Virginia. This hearing may be rescheduled without further notice or publication. A copy of said Petitions can be obtained by contacting the Circuit Clerk of Webster County, West Virginia, Mr. Keith Stout, at the Webster County Courthouse, 2 Court Square, Room G-4, Webster Springs, WV 26288, and by telephone at 304-847-2421. 

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