RULE 81 SUMMONS (BY PUBLICATION) IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF HARRISON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT SHAYLYN BENEFIELD PETITIONER VS. NO. 25-962(4) JOSEPH BLAINE RIVERS RESPONDENT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO: JOSEPH BLAINE RIVERS WHOSE ADDRESS IS 183 SPOONER ROAD, LUCEDALE, MISSISSIPPI 39452 NOTICE TO RESPONDENT You have been made a Respondent in the suit filed in this Court by Shaylyn Benefield seeking to Terminate Parental Rights of Father and Other Relief. You are summoned to appear and defend against said Petition to Appoint Guardian Ad Litem, Terminate Parental Rights of Father and Other Relief at 9:00 a.m. on August 21, 2025, in the Chancery Courtroom of the Harrison County Courthouse at Gulfport, Mississippi, wherein a hearing on will be held on Termination of Parental Rights of Father. You must take immediate action to protect your rights. Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann.§93-15-113, the following actions will take place: (1) A hearing on the involuntary termination of parental rights shall be conducted without a jury and in accordance with the Mississippi Rules of Evidence. The Court may exclude the attendance of the child from the hearing with the consent of the child's guardian ad litem or legal counsel. (2) (a) At the beginning of the involuntary termination of parental rights hearing, the Court shall determine whether all necessary parties are present and identify all persons participating in the hearing, determine whether the notice requirements have been compiled with and, if not, determine whether the affected parties intelligently waived compliance with the notice requirements; explain to the parent the purpose of the hearing, the standard of proof required for terminating parental rights, and the consequences if the parent's parental rights are terminated. The Court shall also explain to the parent: The right to counsel;The right to remain silent;The right to subpoena witnesses;The right to confront and cross examine witnesses; andThe right to appeal, including the right to a transcript of the proceedings. (b) The Court shall then determine whether the parent before the Court is represented by counsel. If the parent wishes to retain counsel, the Court shall continue the hearing for a reasonable time to allow the parent to obtain and consult with counsel of the parent's own choosing. If an indigent parent does not have counsel, the Court shall determine whether the parent is entitled to appointed counsel under the Constitution of the United States, the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, or statutory law and, if so, appoint counsel for the parent and then continue the hearing for a reasonable time to allow the parent to consult with the appointed counsel. The setting of fees for court-appointed counsel and the assessment of those fees are in the discretion of the Court. In case of your failure to appear and defend a judgment will be entered against you for the money or other things demanded in the petition. You are not required to file an answer or other pleading but you may do so if you desire. Issued under my hand and seal of said court, this the 19th day of June, 2025. ANGELA THRASH, Chancery Clerk BY: /s/Lesley Sefton D.C. Harrison County, Mississippi Issued at the Request of: DEAN HOLLEMAN, MSB#2523 BOYCE HOLLEMAN & ASSOCIATES 1720—23rd Avenue-Boyce Holleman Blvd. Gulfport, MS 39501 (228) 863-3142 Telefax (228) 863-9829 dean@boyceholleman.com IPL0249160 Jun 29,Jul 6,13 2025