STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF AIKEN   South Carolina Department of Social  Services,  Plaintiff,  vs.  Joanie D. Stone, Daniel Vesley, and Travis R. Whitten,  Defendants,    IN THE INTERESTS OF:  Minor child born in 2012  Minor child born in 2021   IN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT 2025-DR-02-1069 SUMMONS AND NOTICE BY PUBLICATION   TO: DEFENDANT TRAVIS R. WHITTEN: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Amended Complaint for Removal and Amended Complaint for Termination of your Parental Rights in and to the minor children in this Action, the original of which has been filed in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Aiken County, on October 16, 2025, a copy of which will be delivered to you upon request; and to serve a copy of your Answer to the Complaint upon the undersigned attorney for the Plaintiff at 1628 Browning Rd, Suite 100 – Attention: Legal, Columbia, South Carolina 29210, within thirty (30) days following the date of service upon you, exclusive of the day of such service; and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time stated, the Plaintiff will apply for Judgment by Default against the Defendant for the relief demanded in the Complaint. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that: (1) the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) who is appointed by the Court in this action to represent the best interests of the children will provide the Family Court with a written report that includes an evaluation and assessment of the issues brought before the Court along with recommendations; (2) the Guardian ad Litem 's written report will be available for review twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the hearing; (3) you may review the report at the Guardian ad Litem Program county office.   S. C. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES  Becky Milholland, SC Bar No.: 101927 1628 Browning Rd. Suite 100 – Attention: Legal Columbia, SC 29210 Telephone: (803) 542-3342   October 28, 2025.