ÿWPC" ÝÆþ$…«‰áQ½Ã9 B„û ‡*ï·RžV“³®ÂÀˆ¡à`Z& ¶¹û5Üi_&ê%AŽ™…ኦÝè”Üîm¬ïsy16­ç!„”n ×s4Tê¯ X9¶#:{`Œ ľóÐ[(¿èó%ìvý™zQ‚ô³ ø-™™.ºÎˆ?TYœ ¤çc+frZÃų¿øÅÚ1úœ|:™<Ù|½ÿa…U2¹ìCuqöàÞùªOÿÃà°vÕRŸ©3ŸhÍ,ŠÁ E…&ñLBí»ØÀQ&2(û´8ôs¥±šg.vðÑ›†´¶@Nô@ˆè †¢ã’ÀàÉ Úù6¹A”‚”ÖéÂrÕF–/ñt2ºuý¿M çÝÙÚš4ÕâW]×ö›_{Ë#51s$åáM{U½š–ñã‘èê›8<–#.¯"ÌÝ%H¡ˆM±„b4%cõ[ÇŸ€ËùÕqô¦…¬êÅé8ª¶QHëÇÂèçŠäzõI‘,½O-KÉWya¹ÿýMÿG³#óóŒ’.Þ2õŸMUq_ã²y=Êè¹8~ô¬KÎ!ÖÉOÈa¢ä„²Åzy£© ð0sÆó}T8ˆ2Û.á8ã‡Í§¨¢g•(R‰Vb %\U@b 0ˆ¢N*U.N,U:z^ ´ zÀÒ: w 4 3$ W Æf Æ, Æò Ƹ 0D~NÂôĸEº m¼fÓK9N„„†#ÁœUN]]]]]««³NÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉb 0ë B   0¤' D3Ë D-þ 0K++ ASvÆÉ 0¤ 0D3 A«w»(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular”‚-s  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt9‚±,˜C Þ13ÞeP²¦ )Ý ƒR0ú$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôåÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€DNA€report€indicated€that€the€likelihood€that€Mr.€K€is€P.E.K.ððs€father€was€227€to€1,€and€that€theÐ ° Ðprobability€of€his€paternity€was€99.6€percent.3|xLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó êÝ ƒR0ú$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôåÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€petition€was€accompanied€by€a€letter€from€a€psychologist€who€had€spoken€to€the€child€twice.€€TheÐ ° Ðpsychologist€noted€some€problems€that€had€been€reported€in€the€childððs€relationship€with€Mr.€K.€and€offered€the€opinionÐ tÄ Ðthat€the€child€should€ð ðremain€where€she€is€until€she€can€be€better€evaluated€in€therapy.€€Also€she€has€moved€betweenÐ 8ˆ Ðmany€different€households€and€the€disruption€of€routine€and€relationships€[is]€very€detrimental€to€a€young€child.€€AlsoÐ üL ÐA.€has€reported€a€very€close€relationship€with€her€sisters€and€moving€away€would€be€detrimental€to€these€relationships.ðð€Ð À ÐThe€psychologist€also€noted€that€she€preferred€to€have€six€to€ten€sessions€with€a€child€before€making€a€statement,€but€thatÐ „Ô Ðtime€had€not€permitted€additional€sessions. ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ \Ý ƒR0ú$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôåÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€record€does€not€indicate€the€circumstances€under€which€Ms.€M.€obtained€custody,€but€we€note€that€theÐ ° Ðoriginal€custody€order,€entered€in€March€1999,€gave€Ms.€M.€visitation€during€the€month€of€July.€€ AÝ ƒR0ú$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôåÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€We€note€that,€pursuant€to€the€provisions€of€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€36„6„213,€the€Tennessee€and€Arkansas€courts€properlyÐ ° Ðcommunicated€regarding€this€case. Ñ à јHP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular  Ñ h Ñ DÝ ƒR0ú$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôåÝò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€record€does€not€indicate€that€the€Alabama€court€placed€any€restrictions€on€Mr.€K.ððs€relocation,€thus,€weÐ ° Ðassume€he€did€not€violate€any€court€orders€by€moving€to€Tennessee.- ù-(|G20ú$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€IU»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôåÝò»»Ô d(|3IT$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€IU»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3IT$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€IU»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€IU»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼IU»»»ÔÑ8€YXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ€§ ÑÑ€%˜ Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îCDIUÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼IU»îîCD.#ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓJuly€11,€2002€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡XYX»¼IUÔÌò òÔ#†¼IU»XXY#ÔP.E.K.òòóó€v.€J.M.€and€Ô_ÔC.Y.M.Ô_ÔòòóóÔ‡XYX»¼IUÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òA€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Wayne€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€10696€€€€€€The€Honorable€Jim€T.€Hamilton,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2001„02190„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€August€15,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡XYXXXYÔà  àThis€case,€before€this€Court€for€the€second€time,€involves€an€interstate€battle€between€never„Ð xÈ  Ðmarried€parents€over€custody€of€a€minor€daughter.€€The€trial€court€found€that€under€the€provisionsÐ d´ Ðof€the€Uniform€Child€Custody€Jurisdiction€and€Enforcement€Act€(UCCJEA),€the€trial€court€hadÐ P  Ðjurisdiction€of€the€custody€dispute€and€entered€judgment€awarding€custody€of€the€minor€daughter€toÐ <Œ Ðthe€Petitioner„Father.€€Mother€has€appealed.€€We€affirm€in€part,€reverse€in€part,€and€remand.Ð (x ÐÔ#†XYXXXYý#ÔÔ#†¼IU»XXYŸ#ÔÔ‡XYX»¼IUÔÌÓñÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Affirmed€in€Part,Ð ì< ÐReversed€in€Part,€and€Remandedó óÐ Ø( ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼IU»àXY±#ÔÔ‡XYX.¼IUÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.€Highers,Ð ° ÐJ.óó€and€òòHolly€Kirby€Lillard,€J.óó,€joined.Ð œì ÐÌScott€C.€Williams,€Stephanie€S.€Maxwell,€Columbia,€For€Appellants,€J.M.€and€C.Y.M.Ð tÄ ÐÌPaul€A.€Bates,€William€M.€Harris,€Lawrenceburg,€For€Appellee,€P.E.K.Ð L œ ÐÓŒÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼IU»XXY»#ÔÔ‡XYX»¼IUÔÐ $"t! ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼IU»XXY™ #ÔÔ‡XYX»¼IUÔÓ  Óà  àThis€case€was€originally€before€this€Court€on€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€10,€Application€forÐ ü#L# ÐExtraordinary€Appeal€by€C.Y.M.€(Mother)€and€her€husband,€J.M.,€from€an€order€of€the€trial€courtÐ è$8 $ Ðgranting€petitioner,€P.E.K.€(Father),€temporary€emergency€custody€of€the€minor€child.€€PertinentÐ Ô%$!% Ðfactual€and€background€information€necessary€for€an€understanding€of€the€present€appeal€is€set€outÐ À&"& Ðin€the€opinion,€òòò òP.E.K.€v.€J.M.ó óóó,€52€S.W.3d€653€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001),€which€we€quote€as€follows:Ð ¬'ü"' ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIn€1991,€C.Y.M.€and€her€husband,€J.M.,€separated€but€did€notÐ „)Ô$) Ðdivorce.€€They€have€three€children.€€Sometime€later,€Ms.€M.€beganÐ p*À%* Ðcohabiting€with€P.E.K.€€In€1994,€while€Ms.€M.€lived€with€Mr.€K.,€sheÐ \+¬&+ Ðgave€birth€to€a€daughter€at€Tinker€Air€Force€Base€in€Oklahoma.€TheÐ H,˜', Ðbirth€certificate€showed€the€childððs€name€as€A.N.K.M.,€incorporatingÐ 4-„(-ý Ðthe€last€names€of€both€Mr.€K.€and€Mr.€M.€€Mr.€M.,€the€husband,€wasÐ ° Ðlisted€as€the€father.€€Sometime€after€the€child€was€born,€Ms.€M.,€Mr.Ð œì ÐK.€and€the€child€moved€to€Alabama.€€Ms.€M.€and€Mr.€K.€separated€inÐ ˆØ ÐAlabama€in€February€1997€and€apparently€the€child€stayed€with€herÐ tÄ Ðmother.€€In€1998,€Mr.€K.€sought€to€establish€paternity€and€to€obtainÐ `° Ðcustody€of€the€child.€€On€March€15,€1999,€the€Alabama€trial€court,Ð L œ Ðafter€hearing€oral€testimony,€found€Mr.€K.€to€be€the€childððs€father€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðawarded€custody€to€him€with€visitation€for€the€mother.€€Mr.€K.Ð $ t Ðimmediately€moved€to€Tennessee€with€the€child.׃&×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð `` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€January€28,€2000,€the€Alabama€Court€of€Civil€AppealsÐ è 8  Ðreversed€the€trial€court,€stating€that€Mr.€K.€did€not€have€standing€toÐ Ô$  Ðestablish€his€paternity€of€the€child.€€It€explained:ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàWe€conclude€that€the€boyfriend€did€not€have€standingÐ ˜è  Ðto€establish€his€paternity€of€the€child.€.€.€.€It€isÐ „Ô  Ðundisputed€that€the€child€was€born€during€theÐ pÀ Ðmarriage€of€the€mother€and€her€husband,€even€thoughÐ \¬ Ðthe€record€indicates€that€the€child€was€conceived€andÐ H˜ Ðborn€while€the€mother€and€the€husband€wereÐ 4„ Ðseparated.€€Therefore,€the€husband€is€the€presumedÐ  p Ðfather€of€the€child.€€Ala.€Code€1975,€ðð€26„17„5(a)(1).€Ð  \ ÐOur€supreme€court€has€held€that€no€one€has€standingÐ øH Ðto€challenge€a€presumed€fatherððs€paternity€as€long€asÐ ä4 Ðthe€presumed€father€persists€in€claiming€paternity€ofÐ Ð  Ðthe€child.€€òòEx€parte€C.A.P.óó,€683€So.€2d€1010€(Ala.Ð ¼  Ð1996);€òòEx€parte€Presseóó,€554€So.€2d€406€(Ala.€1989).€Ð ¨ø ÐThe€husband€is€not€a€party€to€this€action,€and,€also,Ð ”ä Ðthere€is€no€evidence€as€to€whether€he€persists€in€orÐ €Ð Ðrelinquishes€his€status€as€the€presumed€father.Ðl¼¸ ¸  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€reversed€and€theÐ D!” Ðcause€is€remanded€for€the€trial€court€to€dismiss€theÐ 0"€  Ðboyfriendððs€action.Ð#l!¸ ¸  ÐÌòòà8  àà8` Ð Ð àC.Y.M.€v.€P.E.K.óó,€No.€2981263,€2000€WL€112778€(Ala.€Civ.€App.€JanÐ ô$D # Ð28,€2000).€€On€March€17,€2000,€Mr.€K.ððs€application€for€a€rehearingÐ à%0!$ Ðwas€denied,€and€he€filed€a€petition€for€a€writ€of€certiorari€with€theÐ Ì&"% ÐAlabama€Supreme€Court.и'#&` x` x ÐÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€June€1,€2000,€Mr.€K.€filed€a€petition€for€temporary€custodyÐ ° Ðin€Wayne€County€Juvenile€Court,€perhaps€fearing€that€he€would€notÐ œì Ðprevail€before€the€Alabama€Supreme€Court.€€In€his€petition€he€allegedÐ ˆØ Ðthat€the€child€was€ð ðdependent€and€neglected,ðð€and€he€listed€Ms.€M.ððsÐ tÄ Ðaddress€as€a€post€office€box€in€Nashville,€Tennessee.€Ð`°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€June€30,€2000,€the€Alabama€Supreme€Court€denied€Mr.Ð 8 ˆ ÐK.ððs€petition€for€the€writ€of€certiorari,€stating:Ð$ t` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàThe€petition€for€the€writ€of€certiorari€is€denied.€€OurÐ ü L  Ðdenial€of€the€petition€should€not€be€taken€as€anÐ è 8  Ðapproval€of€the€reasoning€stated€in€the€Court€of€CivilÐ Ô$  ÐAppealsðð€opinion.ÐÀ ¸ ¸  ÐÌòòà8  àà8` Ð Ð àEx€parte€P.E.K.€(In€re€C.Y.M.€v.€P.E.K.)óó,€No.€1991276,€2000€WLÐ ˜è  Ð869611€(Ala.€June€30,€2000).Ð„Ô ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€July€5,€2000,€Ms.€M.€obtained€custody€of€the€child.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€TwoÐ \¬ Ðdays€later,€the€Wayne€County€Juvenile€Court€dismissed€Mr.€K.ððsÐ H˜ Ðpetition€for€temporary€custody€ð ðdue€to€the€fact€that€said€childððs€fatherÐ 4„ Ðalready€retained€custody€of€said€child€in€Alabama.ðð€€Ð p` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€July€18,€2000,€Mr.€K.€filed€a€petition€for€temporaryÐ øH Ðemergency€custody€in€Wayne€County€Chancery€Court.€€He€allegedÐ ä4 Ðthat€he€was€the€biological€father€of€the€child,€that€he€had€hadÐ Ð  Ðcontinuous€custody€of€her€since€March€1999,€that€the€child€had€beenÐ ¼  Ðtaken€to€California,€that€Ms.€M.€had€ð ðthreatened€that€the€petitionerÐ ¨ø Ðwould€never€see€[the€child]€again,ðð€and€that€ð ðthe€actions€of€theÐ ”ä Ðrespondent,€C.Y.M.,€[have]€caused€the€petitioner€to€fear€for€the€safetyÐ €Ð Ðof€said€minor€child.ðð€€He€asked€the€court€to€find€that€he€was€ð ðthe€fitÐ l¼ Ðand€proper€person€to€have€the€permanent€care€and€custody€of€saidÐ X ¨ Ðminor€child€and€[that]€a€reasonable€amount€of€child€support€be€set,Ð D!” Ðboth€temporary€and€permanent.ðð€€The€same€day,€the€chancery€courtÐ 0"€  Ðawarded€Mr.€K.€ð ðtemporary€emergency€custodyðð€pending€furtherÐ #l! Ðorders€of€the€court.Ð$X"` x` x ЀÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAlso€on€July€18,€2000,€the€Alabama€trial€court€entered€itsÐ à%0!$ Ðorder€formally€dismissing€Mr.€K.ððs€petition€for€custody€in€that€state.ÐÌ&"%` x` x Ðâ âà  àÐ ¸'#& Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAt€some€point€Ms.€M.€seems€to€have€reunited€with€herÐ ° Ðâ âhusband,€J.M.€€On€August€15,€2000,€Mr.€and€Ms.€M.€together€filed€aÐ œì Ðòòpro€se€óómotion€to€dismiss€in€€Wayne€County€Chancery€Court.€€In€theirÐ ˆØ Ðmotion,€they€asked€the€court€to€dismiss€Mr.€K.ððs€petition€forÐ tÄ Ðtemporary€emergency€custody€on€ð ðgrounds€that€the€court€lacksÐ `° Ðjurisdiction€of€the€subject€matter€of€this€controversy€in€that€the€minorÐ L œ Ðchild€in€question€was€not€legally€in€the€state.ðð€€The€motion€recountedÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€Alabama€proceedings,€noting€that,€under€Alabama€law,€Mr.€M.Ð $ t Ðwas€the€presumed€father€and€ð ðno€one€has€standing€to€challenge€aÐ  ` Ðpresumed€fatherððs€paternity€as€long€as€the€presumed€father€persists€inÐ ü L  Ðclaiming€paternity€of€the€child.ðð€€The€motion,€signed€by€both€Mr.€andÐ è 8  ÐMs.€M.,€concluded€with€the€statement,€ð ðJ.M.€has€not€and€will€notÐ Ô$  Ðdisclaim€the€minor€child,€A.N.M.€as€his€daughter.ðð€€Mr.€M.ððsÐ À  Ðnotarized€affidavit,€attached€to€the€motion,€stated,€ð ðA.N.M.€wasÐ ¬ü  Ðconceived€and€born€during€my€marriage€to€my€wife,€C.M.,€and€I€doÐ ˜è  Ðclaim€A.€as€my€daughter.€€I€have€not€and€will€not€disclaim€A.€as€myÐ „Ô  Ðdaughter.ðð€€The€M.s€contested€only€subject€matter€jurisdiction,€notÐ pÀ Ðpersonal€jurisdiction,€in€their€motion.Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€August€31,€2000,€Ms.€M.,€through€counsel,€filed€aÐ 4„ Ðð ðResponseðð€in€which€she€again€denied€that€the€court€had€subjectÐ  p Ðmatter€jurisdiction.€€For€the€first€time,€Ms.€M.€denied€that€the€courtÐ  \ Ðhad€personal€jurisdiction€over€herself,€her€husband€or€the€child.€€SheÐ øH Ðalso€claimed€that€ð ðPetitioner€previously€brought€this€cause,€and€hasÐ ä4 Ðfully€and€fairly€litigated€this€cause€for€over€a€year,€in€the€courts€of€theÐ Ð  Ðstate€of€Alabama;€that€the€Alabama€courts€have€determined€and€ruledÐ ¼  Ðagainst€Petitioner;€and€that€the€determination€and€ruling€of€theÐ ¨ø ÐAlabama€courts€are€entitled€to€enforcement€by€this€Honorable€Court,Ð ”ä Ðresulting€in€the€dismissal€of€the€Petition.ððЀÐ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€September€7,€2000,€the€Wayne€County€chancellor€enteredÐ X ¨ Ðan€order€allowing€Mr.€K.€to€amend€his€petition€to€add€an€allegation,Ð D!” Ðð ðThat€the€defendant,€J.M.,€has€abandoned€the€said€A.N.K.,ðð€and€theÐ 0"€  Ðprayer€for€relief,€ð ðThat€the€Plaintiff€be€declared€to€be€the€legitimateÐ #l! Ðand€biological€father€of€A.N.K.ððÐ$X"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€September€20,€2000,€the€M.s€filed€a€petition€forÐ à%0!$ Ðemergency€custody€in€Chancery€Court€of€Union€County,€Arkansas.€Ð Ì&"% ÐThey€alleged€that€ð ðthe€child€is€present€in€this€state€with€her€parentsÐ ¸'#& Ðand€her€sisters€and€it€is€necessary€to€protect€the€health,€safety€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðâ âwelfare€of€the€child.€€In€addition,€the€child€may€have€been€subjectedÐ )à$( Ðto€mistreatment€and€abuse€in€her€past׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€by€Defendant,€P.E.K.,€whoÐ ° Ðâ ârepresents€himself€to€be€the€biological€father,€without€any€priorÐ œì Ðjudicial€finding€of€paternity.ðð€€They€further€alleged€that€Mr.€K.Ð ˆØ Ðð ðrecently€obtained€an€Emergency€Custody€Order€through€theÐ tÄ ÐChancery€Court€of€Wayne€County,€Tennessee,€which€clearly€has€noÐ `° Ðjurisdiction€over€Plaintiffs€or€their€minor€daughter.ðð€€They€contendedÐ L œ Ðthat€Arkansas€was€a€more€convenient€forum€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðð€9„Ð 8 ˆ Ð19„207,€and€sought€temporary€emergency€custody€of€the€child.€€TheÐ $ t ÐArkansas€chancery€court€granted€the€M.s€custody€of€the€child€theÐ  ` Ðsame€day,€ð ðto€protect€the€childððs€health,€safety€and€welfare.ððÐü L ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€September€28,€2000,€the€Wayne€County€Chancery€CourtÐ Ô$  Ðentered€an€order€denying€the€M.ððs€motion€to€dismiss€and€setting€trialÐ À  Ðfor€October€27,€2000.€€On€October€10,€2000,€Ms.€M.€filed€motions€inÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€trial€court€requesting€permission€to€file€a€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€€9Ð ˜è  Ðinterlocutory€appeal€with€this€court€and€for€a€stay€in€the€proceedingsÐ „Ô  Ðpending€appeal.€€The€trial€court€denied€those€motions€on€NovemberÐ pÀ Ð1,€2000,€and€reset€trial€for€November€17,€2000.Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àMs.€M.€then€filed€a€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€10€application€for€anÐ 4„ Ðextraordinary€appeal€with€this€court€on€November€3,€2000.€€This€courtÐ  p Ðthen€ordered€Mr.€K.€to€file€an€answer€to€the€application,€which€he€did.€Ð  \ ÐOn€November€16,€2000,€this€court€issued€a€stay€of€the€proceedings€setÐ øH Ðfor€November€17,€2000,€pending€resolution€of€the€application.Ðä4` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€November€21,€2000,€this€court€granted€the€application€forÐ ¼  Ðan€extraordinary€appeal,€noting€that€the€application€raised€seriousÐ ¨ø Ðissues€concerning€the€trial€courtððs€jurisdiction.€€The€appeal€was€Ð ”ä Ðlimited€to€the€following€two€issues:ЀÐ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à1)€The€jurisdiction€of€the€Chancery€Court€for€Wayne€CountyÐ X ¨ Ðto€establish€paternity€and/or€to€make€an€award€of€permanent€custody;Ð D!” Ðand€Ð0"€ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à2)€The€validity€of€the€July€18,€2000€Order€for€TemporaryÐ $X" ÐEmergency€Custody.Ðô$D #` x` x Їò òòòId.ó óóó€at€653€„€57.Ð ° ÐÌÓÓà  àAfter€reviewing€the€record,€issues,€and€applicable€law,€the€opinion€continues:Ð ˆØ ÐÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àWe€hold€that€the€Chancery€Court€of€Wayne€County€hasÐ `° Ðgeneral€subject€matter€jurisdiction€over€paternity€and€child€custodyÐ L œ Ðmatters€and€that€the€court€has€personal€jurisdiction€over€the€M.s.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐWhat€we€cannot€resolve€on€the€basis€of€the€record€before€us€is€theÐ $ t Ðquestion€of€whether€the€court€has€jurisdiction€to€decide€the€custodyÐ  ` Ðquestionòò€in€this€caseóó.€€The€UCCJEA€makes€the€childððs€home€state€theÐ ü L  Ðpreferred€forum€to€decide€custody€matters.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÐ è 8  Ð36„6„216(a).€€If€this€state€is€not€the€home€state,€jurisdiction€to€decideÐ Ô$  Ðcustody€is€limited€to€situations€where€(1)€there€is€no€home€state,€(2)Ð À  Ðthe€home€state€has€declined€to€exercise€jurisdiction,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ¬ü  Ððð€36„6„216(a)(2)€and€(3),€or€(3)€this€state€has€continuing€jurisdictionÐ ˜è  Ðunder€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„217(a)(1)(2).€€The€question€of€theÐ „Ô  Ðappropriate€forum€to€decide€the€custody€of€this€child€must€be€resolvedÐ pÀ Ðin€the€chancery€court.Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àAs€to€the€paternity€question,€we€have€decided€only€that€theÐ 4„ Ðchancery€court€has€the€power€to€decide€such€questions.€€òòò òThe€M.s€areÐ  p Ðfree€to€raise€any€defense€to€that€action€except€the€lack€of€personalÐ  \ Ðjurisdiction.ó óóó€€The€temporary€emergency€custody€order€is€reversed€andÐ ôD Ðthe€cause€is€remanded€to€the€Chancery€Court€of€Wayne€County€forÐ à0 Ðfurther€proceedings.ÐÌ` x` x ÐÌò òòòId.ó óóó€at€660„61€(emphasis€added).Ð ¤ô ÐÌà  àOn€remand,€the€trial€court€held€a€hearing€on€August€6,€2001.€€Mother€and€her€daughter€failedÐ |Ì Ðto€attend,€in€spite€of€a€court€order€directing€them€to€attend.€€Motherððs€attorney€was€present,€however,Ð h¸ Ðand€the€court€heard€testimony€from€P.E.K.,€his€mother,€the€childððs€kindergarten€teacher,€and€severalÐ T ¤ Ðof€P.E.K.ððs€friends.€€Additionally,€the€trial€court€admitted,€among€other€things,€DNA€evidence€ofÐ @! ÐP.E.K.ððs€paternity׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×,€and€Motherððs€Tennessee€driverððs€license€and€business€card.Ð ,"|  ÐÌà  àP.E.K.€testified€that€the€child€lived€with€him€in€Tennessee€for€16€months€following€the€entryÐ $T" Ðof€the€Alabama€custody€order.€€He€also€testified€that€Mother€€moved€from€Alabama€to€Nashville€inÐ ð$@ # Ðthe€fall€of€1999,€and€that€she€continued€to€reside€in€Nashville€until€she€took€their€daughter€toÐ Ü%,!$ ÐCalifornia,€and€ultimately€Arkansas,€in€July€of€2000.€€P.E.K.€explained€that€Mother€was€in€theÐ È&"% Ðbusiness€of€selling€hard„hat€covers,€and€that€her€address€and€phone€number€listed€on€her€businessÐ ´'#& Ðcard€were€in€Nashville.€€Ð  (ð#' Ðà  àOn€cross„examination,€counsel€for€Mother€asked€P.E.K.€whether€he€was€aware€that€the€reasonÐ ° Ðshe€had€moved€to€Tennessee€ð ðwas€so€that€it€would€be€closer€for€her€to€have€her€visits€with€[herÐ œì Ðdaughter].ðð€€P.E.K.€responded€that,€ð ðanybody€can€tell€you€itððs€60€miles€to€Athens€[Alabama]€and€itððsÐ ˆØ Ð120€to€Nashville,€so€you€figure€that€out€for€yourself.ðð€€In€addition€to€testifying€about€P.E.K.ððsÐ tÄ Ðparenting€abilities,€both€the€childððs€kindergarten€teacher€and€P.E.K.ððs€mother€testified€that€MotherÐ `° Ðhad€informed€them€that€she€had€moved€from€Athens,€Alabama€to€Nashville,€Tennessee.Ð L œ ÐÌà  àBefore€ruling,€the€chancellor€asked€counsel€for€Mother€whether€the€minor€childððs€paternityÐ $ t Ðwas€in€dispute.€€In€response,€Mother's€attorney€replied,€ð ðWell,€Judge,€I€would€refer€you€and€Mr.€BatesÐ  ` Ðto€the€petition€thatððs€pending€in€Arkansas.€€When€you€look€at€that,€[Mother]€in€Arkansas€is€claimingÐ ü L  Ðthat€P.E.K.€is€the€father.€€Sheððs€seeking€support€from€him,€so€.€.€.€the€answer€to€your€question€wouldÐ è 8  Ðbe€no.€.€.€ððÐ Ô$  ÐÌà  àOn€August€7,€2001,€after€the€nonjury€trial€on€August€6,€2001,€the€trial€court€entered€its€order,Ð ¬ü  Ðwhich€provides:€€€Ð ˜è  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€Uncontroverted€testimony€presented€at€the€aforesaid€hearingÐ pÀ Ðprovides€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€from€October,€1999€untilÐ \¬ ÐJuly,€2000,€the€Respondent,€[Mother],€was€a€resident€of€the€State€ofÐ H˜ ÐTennessee.€€The€Court€further€finds€that€Respondent€and€minorÐ 4„ Ðchildððs€living€in€Arkansas€while€a€custody€proceeding€is€pending€inÐ  p Ðthe€State€of€Tennessee€does€not€establish€her€residency,€nor€the€minorÐ  \ Ðchildððs€residency€in€the€State€of€Arkansas.€€The€Court€further€findsÐ øH Ðthat€the€Tennessee€custody€proceeding€was€filed€and€pending€prior€toÐ ä4 Ðany€court€proceedings€in€the€State€of€Arkansas.€€Accordingly,€theÐ Ð  ÐCourt€finds€that€Tennessee€is€the€home€state€of€the€child,€andÐ ¼  ÐTennessee€is€the€proper€forum€to€decide€paternity€and€permanentÐ ¨ø Ðcustody€of€the€child;€Ð”ä` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€Statements€by€counsel€for€the€Respondent,€along€with€DNAÐ l¼ Ðevidence€presented€at€the€hearing€by€the€Petitioner€provide€clear€andÐ X ¨ Ðconvincing€evidence€that€the€Petitioner,€[P.E.K.],€is€the€biologicalÐ D!” Ðfather€of€the€minor€child;Ð0"€ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.€€Even€though€this€Court€issued€an€Order€requiring€Respondent€andÐ $X" Ðthe€minor€child€to€be€present€at€this€hearing,€Respondent€failed€toÐ ô$D # Ðappear€in€compliance€with€said€Order,€and€accordingly,€PetitionerððsÐ à%0!$ Ðoral€motion€to€strike€the€affidavit€of€Respondent€from€the€record€ofÐ Ì&"% Ðthis€matter€is€well€taken;и'#&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à4.€€Evidence€presented€through€the€testimony€of€witnesses,€as€well€asÐ )à$( Ðâ âthe€testimony€of€the€Petitioner,€provide€clear€and€convincing€evidenceÐ |*Ì%) Ðthat€the€Petitioner€is€a€fit€and€proper€person€to€have€custody€of€theÐ ° Ðminor€child.Мì` x` x Ðâ âÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIt€is,€therefore,€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED€and€DECREED€that:ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€The€Court€finds€that€Tennessee€is€the€home€state€of€the€minorÐ L œ Ðchild,€.€.€.€for€the€purposes€of€establishing€paternity€and€custody;Ð8 ˆ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€Respondentððs€Motion€To€Dismiss€is€not€well€taken,€and,Ð  ` Ðaccordingly€is€denied;Ðü L ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.€€The€Petitioner,€[P.E.K.],€is€the€biological€father€of€the€aforesaidÐ Ô$  Ðminor€child;ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à4.€€the€Petitioner,€[P.E.K.],€is€a€fit€and€proper€person€to€have€custodyÐ ˜è  Ðand€care€of€the€aforesaid€minor€child;Ð„Ô ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à5.€€The€minor€child€is€to€be€returned€immediately€into€the€care€andÐ \¬ Ðcustody€of€the€Petitioner,€[P.E.K.];ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à6.€€Petitionerððs€Motion€To€Strike€Respondentððs€affidavit€previouslyÐ  p Ðfiled€with€the€Court€is€well€taken,€and€hereby€granted;Ð \` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à7.€€All€matters€pertaining€to€visitation€and€child€support€are€reservedÐ ä4 Ðpending€further€orders€of€this€Court;ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à8.€€The€costs€of€this€matter€is€assessed€to€the€Respondents€for€whichÐ ¨ø Ðexecution€may€follow.Дä` x` x ÐÌà  àMother€and€her€husband,€J.M.,€appeal€and€present€five€issues€for€review:Ð l¼ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€holding€that€the€Tennessee€was€theÐ D!” Ðhome€state€of€the€minor€child€and€in€exercising€subject€matterÐ 0"€  Ðjurisdiction€over€the€custody€question.Ð#l!` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€denying€the€motherððs€motion€toÐ ô$D # Ðdismiss.Ðà%0!$` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€holding€that€the€biological€fatherÐ ¸'#& Ðis€a€fit€and€proper€person€to€have€custody€of€the€minor€child.Ф(ô#'` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à4.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€ruling€that€P.E.K.€is€the€biologicalÐ |*Ì%) Ðfather€of€the€minor€child.Ðh+¸&*` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð à5.€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€P.E.K.€to€call€witnessesÐ ° Ðwhose€names€were€not€furnished€to€counsel€or€the€respondent€priorÐ œì Ðto€trial.ЈØ` x` x ÐÌà  àWe€will€first€consider€the€fourth€issue:€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€ruling€that€P.E.K.€isÐ `° Ðthe€biological€father€of€the€minor€child.€€The€record€reflects€that€in€addition€to€P.E.K.ððs€testimonyÐ L œ Ðof€his€relationship€with€Mother,€the€DNA€report€introduced€into€evidence€found€that€P.E.K.€is€notÐ 8 ˆ Ðexcluded€as€the€biological€father€of€the€minor€child.€€The€report€states:€€ð ðThe€likelihood€that€he€is€theÐ $ t Ðbiological€father€is€227€to€1€when€compared€to€a€random€individual€in€the€North€AmericanÐ  ` ÐCaucasian€population.€€The€probability€of€paternity€is€99.6€%.ðð€€Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àMoreover,€the€record€reflects€that€Motherððs€counsel,€in€effect,€stipulated€that€P.E.K.€is€theÐ Ô$  Ðbiological€father€of€the€child.€€Concerning€the€question€of€paternity,€we€quote€from€the€record:€€Ð À  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTHE€COURT:€€.€.€.€Do€you„all€have€anything€else?Иè ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMR.€BATES€[P.E.K.ððs€counsel]:€€Yes,€sir.€€I€wanted€to€ð!ð€we€do€haveÐ pÀ Ða€representative€here€from€the€DNA€testing€facility.€€As€I€understandÐ \¬ Ðit,€paternity€is€not€disputed,€the€biological€paternity€of€[the€minorÐ H˜ Ðchild].€€Is€that€right€or€wrong,€Ms.€Hales?Ð4„` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMS.€HALES€[Mother.ððs€counsel]:€€Well,€Judge,€I€would€refer€you€andÐ  \ ÐMr.€Bates€to€the€petition€thatððs€pending€in€Arkansas.€€When€you€lookÐ øH Ðat€that,€[Mother]€in€Arkansas€is€claiming€that€[P.E.K.]€is€the€father.Ðä4` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àSheððs€seeking€support€from€him,€so€I€think€the€question€ð!ð€theÐ ¼  Ðanswer€to€your€question€would€be€no,€but€that€it€needs€to€be€decidedÐ ¨ø Ðby€the€court€in€Arkansas.€.€.€.Дä` x` x ÐÌThe€open€court€concession€by€the€attorneys€in€a€case€constitutes€a€binding€stipulation.€€ò òòòBearman€v.Ð l¼ ÐCamatsosó óóó,€215€Tenn.€231,€385€S.W.2d€91€(1964);€ò òòòTamco€Supply€v.€Pollardó óóó,€37€S.W.3d€905€(Tenn.Ð X ¨ ÐCt.€App.€2000).€€On€the€state€of€the€record,€the€trial€court€did€not€err€in€finding€that€P.E.K.€is€theÐ D!” Ðbiological€father€of€the€minor€child.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àWe€will€consider€issues€one€and€two€together€as€to€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€the€court€hadÐ $X" Ðsubject€matter€jurisdiction€over€the€custody€question.€€These€issues€are€controlled€by€the€provisionsÐ ô$D # Ðof€T.C.A.€Ô‡X× XXXYÔððÔ#†XYX XX×qq#ÔÔ‡XYXXXYÔ€36„6„216€(2001)€which€states:Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àðð€36-6-216.€ò òInitial€custody€determination;€€jurisdictionó óи'#&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(a)€Except€as€otherwise€provided€in€ðð€36-6-219,€a€court€of€thisÐ ”)ä$( Ðstate€has€jurisdiction€to€make€an€initial€child€custody€determinationÐ €*Ð%) Ðonly€if:Ðl+¼&*` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(1)€This€state€is€the€home€state€of€the€child€on€the€date€of€theÐ ° Ðcommencement€of€the€proceeding,€or€was€the€home€state€of€the€childÐ œì Ðwithin€six€(6)€months€before€the€commencement€of€the€proceedingÐ ˆØ Ðand€the€child€is€absent€from€this€state€but€a€parent€or€person€acting€asÐ tÄ Ða€parent€continues€to€live€in€this€state;Ð`°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(2)€A€court€of€another€state€does€not€have€jurisdiction€underÐ 8 ˆ Ðsubdivision€(a)(1),€or€a€court€of€the€home€state€of€the€child€hasÐ $ t Ðdeclined€to€exercise€jurisdiction€on€the€ground€that€this€state€is€theÐ  ` Ðmore€appropriate€forum€underðð€36-6-221€or€ðð€36-6-222,€and:Ðü L ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(A)€The€child€and€the€child's€parents,€or€the€child€and€at€leastÐ Ô$  Ðone€(1)€parent€or€a€person€acting€as€a€parent,€have€a€significantÐ À  Ðconnection€with€this€state€other€than€mere€physical€presence;€€andЬü ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(B)€Substantial€evidence€is€available€in€this€state€concerningÐ „Ô  Ðthe€child's€care,€protection,€training,€and€personal€relationships;ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(3)€All€courts€having€jurisdiction€under€subdivision€(a)(1)€orÐ H˜ Ð(2)€have€declined€to€exercise€jurisdiction€on€the€ground€that€a€courtÐ 4„ Ðof€this€state€is€the€more€appropriate€forum€to€determine€the€custodyÐ  p Ðof€the€child€under€ðð€36-6-221€or€ðð€36-6-222;€€orÐ \` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(4)€No€court€of€any€other€state€would€have€jurisdiction€underÐ ä4 Ðthe€criteria€specified€in€subdivision€(a)(1),€(2),€or€(3).ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(b)€Subsection€(a)€is€the€exclusive€jurisdictional€basis€forÐ ¨ø Ðmaking€a€child-custody€determination€by€a€court€of€this€state.Дä` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(c)€Physical€presence€of,€or€personal€jurisdiction€over,€a€partyÐ l¼ Ðor€a€child€is€not€necessary€or€sufficient€to€make€a€child-custodyÐ X ¨ Ðdetermination.ÐD!”` x` x Ѐ̀à  àThe€record€reflects€that€after€obtaining€custody€of€the€child€in€the€Alabama€trial€court,€P.E.K.Ð #l! Ðmoved€to€Waynesboro,€Tennessee€with€the€child€in€March€1999,€where€they€resided€together€untilÐ $X" ÐMother€took€the€child€on€July€5,€2000€for€visitation.€€The€Alabama€Court€of€Appeals€reversed€theÐ ô$D # Ðtrial€courtððs€award€of€custody€to€P.E.K.,€and€the€Alabama€Supreme€Court€denied€certiorari€onÐ à%0!$ ÐJune30,€2000.€€Thus,€during€the€entire€time€that€the€minor€child€resided€in€Tennessee€with€P.E.K.,Ð Ì&"% Ðthere€was€a€custody€controversy€in€progress.€€P.E.K.€had€custody€of€the€child€only€by€virtue€of€theÐ ¸'#& ÐAlabama€trial€court€decision,€which€was€subsequently€reversed.€€The€child€was€with€P.E.K.€by€virtueÐ ¤(ô#' Ðof€the€decision,€and€upon€its€reversal,€his€authority€to€have€the€child€in€Tennessee€was€vacated.€Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àThe€period€of€time€during€which€a€child€has€resided€in€this€state€pending€resolution€of€aÐ ° Ðâ âcustody€dispute€may€not€be€considered€in€reckoning€the€time€necessary€to€establish€home€stateÐ œì Ðjurisdiction.€€ò òòòBoyd€v.€Boydó óóó,€653€S.W.2d€732,€738€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983);€ò òòòSherrill€v.€Sherrilló óóó,€No.Ð ˆØ Ð01„A„01„9703„CH00131,€1998€WL€57528,€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€€Therefore,€the€six„monthÐ tÄ Ðresidency€requirement€to€find€Tennessee€as€the€home€state€provided€for€in€T.C.A.€Ô#†XYXXXY·q#ÔÔ‡X× XXXYÔððÔ#†XYX XX׋ƒ#ÔÔ‡XYXXXYÔ€36„6„216€(2001)Ð `° Ðhas€not€been€met.€€By€the€same€token,€we€note€that€the€child€moved€with€her€mother€to€the€State€ofÐ L œ ÐArkansas€some€time€after€July€of€2000,€after€a€visitation€period€in€California.€€The€petition€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðemergency€custody€was€filed€in€the€chancery€court€in€Arkansas€on€September€20,€2000,€and€at€thatÐ $ t Ðtime€neither€the€Arkansas€statute€nor€the€Tennessee€statute€established€Arkansas€the€home€state€ofÐ  ` Ðthe€child.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Thus,€under€the€provisions€of€T.C.A.€Ô#†XYXXXYу#ÔÔ‡X× XXXYÔððÔ#†XYX XXו†#ÔÔ‡XYXXXYÔ€36„6„216€(a)(1)€(2001),€neither€Arkansas€norÐ ü L  ÐTennessee€as€the€ð ðhome€stateðð€obtained€jurisdiction€of€the€controversy.€€Accordingly,€the€trial€courtÐ è 8  Ðerred€in€finding€Tennessee€to€be€the€childððs€home€state.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àIn€this€case,€there€is€no€ð ðhome€stateðð€for€the€child€pursuant€to€the€statute.€€However,€a€courtÐ ¬ü  Ðof€this€state€may€assume€jurisdiction€if€the€child,€or€one€of€the€parents,€has€a€significant€connectionÐ ˜è  Ðwith€the€state€other€than€a€mere€physical€presence,€and€there€is€substantial€evidence€available€in€theÐ „Ô  Ðstate€concerning€the€childððs€care,€protection,€training,€and€personal€relationship.€€ò òòòSee€óóó óT.C.A.€Ô#†XYXXXYÛ†#ÔÔ‡X× XXXYÔððÔ#†XYX XX׊#ÔÔ‡XYXXXYÔ€36„6„Ð pÀ Ð216€(a)(2)€(2001).€€With€this€criterion,€the€trial€court€must€find€either€that€the€Arkansas€court€has€noÐ \¬ ÐÔ& t Ôjurisdiction€as€the€home€state,€nor€jurisdiction€by€virtue€of€significant€connections,€or€havingÐ H˜ Ðjurisdiction,€has€declined€to€exercise€that€jurisdiction.€€ò òòòSeeó óóó€T.C.A.€Ô#†XYXXXYbŠ#ÔÔ‡X× XXXYÔððÔ#†XYX XX׌#ÔÔ‡XYXXXYÔ€36„6„216€(a)(3)(4)€(2001).€€TheÐ 4„ Ðtrial€court€found€Tennessee€was€the€home€state€of€the€child€at€the€time€the€proceeding€in€TennesseeÐ  p Ðwas€commenced€and€implicitly€found€Arkansas€was€not€the€ð ðhome€state.ðð€€There€is€no€findingÐ  \ Ðconcerning€the€other€provision€of€T.C.A.€Ô#†XYXXXYUŒ#ÔÔ‡X× XXXYÔððÔ#†XYX XX×â#ÔÔ‡XYXXXYÔ€36„6„216,€since€Arkansas€is€also€asserting€jurisdictionÐ øH Ðâ âover€this€case.€€Ð ä4 Ðà  àÔ'<í`‹ÔÔ& 8 ÔWe€should€also€note€that€the€trial€court,€in€awarding€custody€to€P.E.K.,€failed€to€comply€withÐ ° Ðthe€provisions€of€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€Ô#†XYXXXY(Ž#ÔÔ‡X× XXXYÔððÔ#†XYX XX׿#Ô€36„6„106€(2001),€which€requires€that€any€custody€determination€ð ðshallbeÐ œì Ðmade€upon€the€basis€of€the€best€interest€of€the€child.ðð€€That€statute€provides:Ð ˆØ ÐÌÔ‡XYXXXYÔà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò òðð€36-6-106.€Child€custodyó óÐ`°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(a)€In€a€suit€for€annulment,€divorce,€separate€maintenance,€orÐ 8 ˆ Ðin€any€other€proceeding€requiring€the€court€to€make€a€custodyÐ $ t Ðdetermination€regarding€a€minor€child,€such€determination€shall€beÐ  ` Ðmade€upon€the€basis€of€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€The€court€shallÐ ü L  Ðconsider€all€relevant€factors€including€the€following€where€applicable:Ðè 8 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(1)€The€love,€affection€and€emotional€ties€existing€between€theÐ À  Ðparents€and€child;Ьü ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(2)€The€disposition€of€the€parents€to€provide€the€child€withÐ „Ô  Ðâ âfood,€clothing,€medical€care,€education€and€other€necessary€care€andÐ pÀ Ðthe€degree€to€which€a€parent€has€been€the€primary€caregiver;Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(3)€The€importance€of€continuity€in€the€child's€life€and€theÐ 4„ Ðlength€of€time€the€child€has€lived€in€a€stable,€satisfactoryÐ  p Ðenvironment;€€provided,€that€where€there€is€a€finding,€under€ððÐ  \ Ð36-6-106(8),€of€child€abuse,€as€defined€in€ðð€39-15-401€or€ððÐ øH Ð39-15-402,€or€child€sexual€abuse,€as€defined€in€ðð€37-1-602,€by€one€(1)Ð ä4 Ðparent,€and€that€a€non-perpetrating€parent€has€relocated€in€order€toÐ Ð  Ðflee€the€perpetrating€parent,€that€such€relocation€shall€not€weighÐ ¼  Ðagainst€an€award€of€custody;Шø` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(4)€The€stability€of€the€family€unit€of€the€parents;ЀÐ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(5)€The€mental€and€physical€health€of€the€parents;ÐX ¨` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(6)€The€home,€school€and€community€record€of€the€child;Ð0"€ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(7)€The€reasonable€preference€of€the€child€if€twelve€(12)€yearsÐ $X" Ðof€age€or€older.€€The€court€may€hear€the€preference€of€a€younger€childÐ ô$D # Ðupon€request.€€The€preferences€of€older€children€should€normally€beÐ à%0!$ Ðgiven€greater€weight€than€those€of€younger€children;ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(8)€Evidence€of€physical€or€emotional€abuse€to€the€child,€toÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€other€parent€or€to€any€other€person;€€provided,€that€where€there€areÐ )à$( Ðallegations€that€one€(1)€parent€has€committed€child€abuse,€[as€definedÐ |*Ì%) Ðin€ðð€39-15-401€or€ðð€39-15-402],€or€child€sexual€abuse,€[as€defined€inÐ h+¸&* Ðѧ Ñâ âÑ àXÑâ âÑ  Ñðð€37-1-602],€against€a€family€member,€the€court€shall€consider€allÐ ° Ðevidence€relevant€to€the€physical€and€emotional€safety€of€the€child,Ð œì Ðand€determine,€by€a€clear€preponderance€of€the€evidence,€whetherÐ ˆØ Ðsuch€abuse€has€occurred.€€The€court€shall€include€in€its€decision€aÐ tÄ Ðwritten€finding€of€all€evidence,€and€all€findings€of€facts€connectedÐ `° Ðthereto.€€In€addition,€the€court€shall,€where€appropriate,€refer€anyÐ L œ Ðissues€of€abuse€to€the€juvenile€court€for€further€proceedings;Ð8 ˆ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(9)€The€character€and€behavior€of€any€other€person€whoÐ  ` Ðresides€in€or€frequents€the€home€of€a€parent€and€such€person'sÐ ü L  Ðinteractions€with€the€child;€€andÐè 8 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(10)€Each€parent's€past€and€potential€for€future€performanceÐ À  Ðof€parenting€responsibilities,€including€the€willingness€and€ability€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðeach€of€the€parents€to€facilitate€and€encourage€a€close€and€continuingÐ ˜è  Ðparent-child€relationship€between€the€child€and€the€other€parent,Ð „Ô  Ðconsistent€with€the€best€interest€of€the€child.ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(b)€Notwithstanding€the€provisions€of€any€law€to€the€contrary,Ð H˜ Ðthe€court€has€jurisdiction€to€make€an€initial€custody€determinationÐ 4„ Ðregarding€a€minor€child€or€may€modify€a€prior€order€of€child€custodyÐ  p Ðupon€finding€that€the€custodial€parent€has€been€convicted€of€or€foundÐ  \ Ðcivilly€liable€for€the€intentional€and€wrongful€death€of€the€child'sÐ øH Ðother€parent€or€legal€guardian.Ô#†XYXXXYÎ#ÔÔ#†¼IU»XXY÷ #ÔÔ‡XYX»¼IUÔÐä4` x` x ÐÌò òòòId.€€ó óóóThe€trial€court€made€no€finding€as€to€the€best€interest€of€the€child€in€the€instant€case.Ô'ø°äŽÔÐ ¼  ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€the€order€of€the€trial€court€finding€P.E.K.€to€be€the€biological€father€of€the€minorÐ ”ä Ðchild€is€affirmed.€€The€order€in€all€other€respects€is€reversed,€and€the€case€is€remanded€to€the€trialÐ €Ð Ðcourt€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€Opinion.€€Costs€of€the€appeal€are€assessed€one„halfÐ l¼ Ðagainst€appellants,€C.Y.M.€and€J.M.,€and€their€surety,€and€one„half€to€appellee,€Ô_ÔP.E.K.Ô_ÔÔ#†¼IU»XXYk¤#ÔÔ€XYX»¼IUÔÐ X ¨ ÐÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à__________________________________________Ð 0"€  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.