IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF FORREST COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF THE MINOR CHILD T.M.W. BY GABRIELLE LADNER and CODY LADNER PETITIONERS CAUSE NO. 26-ad-23-P BRITTANY MARTIN RESPONDENT RULE 4(i)1 SUMMONS (SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION) THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO: Unknown father of a female child born on November 4, 2020, in Jackson, Mississippi, not to be found on diligent search and inquiry, and his post office or residential address not being known after diligent search and inquiry. You have been made a Defendant on the Petition for Adoption, For Termination of Parental Rights filed in this Court. You are summoned to appear and defend against the Petition in this action at 9:00 a.m. on the 15th day of October, 2026, before the Honorable Renee Porter at the Pearl River County Courthouse, located at 100 S Main St, Poplarville, MS 39470, wherein a hearing on the involuntary termination of parental rights will be held. 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 children from the hearing with the consent of the children'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 complied 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; and The 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 may be entered against you for the 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 the seal of said Court, this the 3rd day of September, 2026. LANCE REID, Chancery Clerk BY: D. Fillingane D.C. Forrest County, Mississippi Publish three (3) times on: 9/9/2026, 9/16/2026, 9/23/2026 Issued at the Request of: Patrick T. Guild, Esquire (MSB#103739) Boyce Holleman & Associates 1720 23rd Avenue Gulfport, MS 39501 Telephone (228) 863-3142 Facsimile (228) 863-9829 Email: patrick@boyceholleman.com IPL0371685 Sep 9,16,23 2026