NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION State of North Carolina County of Mecklenburg In the General Court of Justice District Court Division File No. 26JA000027-590 File No. 26JA000028-590 In the Matter of: In the Matter of: Z.C., Z.C., minor child. minor child. TO: NATALIE WHEELER, address unknown, Charlotte, North Carolina, biological mother of the above-named male children born to you on August 06, 2022, and on January 03, 2026, both in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. TAKE NOTICE that petitions for neglect/dependency of the minor juveniles described above have been filed with the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in a juvenile proceeding. The nature of the relief being sought is to find the minor juveniles are neglected and dependent pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 7B-101. A petition seeking to find the above minor juveniles are neglected and dependent were filed bearing the docket numbers set forth in the above caption. It is also possible in the future that, if certain criteria are met, a petition seeking to terminate your parental rights could be filed. You are required to answer the petitions no later than forty (40) days after the _16th __ day of _February 2026, which is the date of the first publication of this Notice; and upon your failure to do so, the Court may enter one of more of the orders described in the following paragraph. The Court may enter orders in these matters that may: make a determination as to paternity of the juveniles; remove the juveniles from the custody of a parent, guardian, custodian, stepparent, adult member of the juvenile's household, or adult relative entrusted with the juvenile's care; order the parent to pay child support if custody of the juveniles is placed with someone other than the parent; place legal or physical custody of the juveniles with the parent, stepparent, adult member of the juvenile's household, or adult relative entrusted with the juvenile's care on the condition that the individual undergo medical, psychiatric, psychological, or other treatment; require that the juveniles receive medical, psychiatric, psychological, or other treatment and that the parent, guardian, custodian, stepparent, adult member of the juvenile's household, or adult relative entrusted with the juvenile's care participate in the treatment; require the parent, stepparent, adult member of the juvenile's household, or adult relative entrusted with the juvenile's care to undergo psychiatric, psychological, or other treatment or counseling; order the parent, stepparent, adult member of the juvenile's household, or adult relative entrusted with the juvenile's care to pay for treatment that is ordered for the juveniles or that individual; and upon proper notice and hearing and a finding based on the criteria set out in N.C.G.S. § 7B-1111, terminate your parental rights. You are entitled to attend any hearings held on these matters. You have a right to be represented by a lawyer in these cases. If you want a lawyer and cannot afford one, the Court will appoint a lawyer for you. If you are represented by a lawyer appointed previously in an abuse, neglect or dependency case, that lawyer may be able to represent you unless the Court orders otherwise. If you are not represented by a lawyer, unsure as to whether you are represented by a lawyer, or want a lawyer and cannot afford one, then you are encouraged to contact the Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office at (704) 686-0018 to request an attorney. At the first hearing, the Court will determine whether you qualify for a court-appointed lawyer. If you do not qualify, the lawyer will be released. NOTE: If a lawyer is appointed to you and if the Court terminates your parental rights, you may become liable for repayment of the lawyer's fees, and a judgment for the fees may be entered against you. Clint Davis Attorney for Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Petitioner Youth & Family Services Division 720 East Fourth Street, Suite 502 Charlotte, NC 28202 (980) 314-7336 IPL0313978 Feb 16,23,Mar 2 2026