IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF H.L.S. III, a minor HERSHEL L. SMITH SR., AS MATERNAL GRANDFATHER PETITIONER AND AS POTENTIAL ADOPTIVE PARTY OF H.L.S. III., MINOR and AUDREA SMITH, NATURAL MOTHER CO- PETITIONERS Versus Cause No. 25-cv-916 (DNH) DONALD SEARS, AS PUTATIVE FATHER, ALL UNKNOWN PUTATIVE FATHERS DEFENDANT __________________ RULE 81 SUMMONS __________________ TO: Donald Sears, Putative Father of H.L.S. III, and Any other putative father or individual claiming parentage to H.L.S. III, a minor You have been made a Defendant in the suit filed in this court by HERSHEL L. SMITH, Sr. Petitioner, joined by H.L.S. III, and AUDREA SMITH, natural mother of H.L.S. III. seeking the Termination of Parental Rights of DONALD SEARS, Putative Father of H.L.S., III, and any other putative father or individual claiming parentage to H.L.S. III, as more fully set out in the petition filed in the Chancery Court of Jackson County, Mississippi by HERSHEL L. SMITH SR, and joined by H.L.S. III, a minor, and AUDREA SMITH, natural mother. The only named defendants are DONALD SEARS and ALL UNKNOWN PUTATIVE FATHERS. YOU ARE SUMMONED TO APPEAR AND DEFEND AGAINST THE PETITION FILED AGAINST YOU IN THIS ACTION AT 9:30 a.m. ON THE 16th DAY OF September, 2025, IN THE COURTROOM OF THE CHANCERY COURT OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, IN PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI, AND IN CASE OF YOUR FAILURE TO APPEAR AND DEFEND, A JUDGMENT WILL BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF 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 11th day of August, 2025. Josh Eldridge, CHANCERY CLERK OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI BY: ____ D.C. JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI__ D.C. JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI SEAL Publication Dates: 8/13; 8/20; 8/27/2025 Bill to: Matthew Pavlov, the Pavlov Law Firm, PLLC, 906 Desoto St., Ocean Springs, MS 39564 MSB 104540 IPL0262890 Aug 13,20,27 2025