Megan Lloyd Carter Richard Mychal Carter v. Samuel Jamar Pittman Case No. 2025-DR-02-553

Megan Lloyd Carter Richard Mychal Carter v. Samuel Jamar Pittman Case No. 2025-DR-02-553 YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint for Adoption in this action, of which a copy is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your Answer to the said Complaint on the subscriber at his office at P.O. Box 7215 Aiken, SC 29804 or by hand to 702 Chaffee Lane, Aiken, SC, 29801 within thirty (30) days after the service hereof, exclusive of the date of service; and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, the Plaintiff will apply to the Court for the relief requested to include judgment by default. Complaint - THE PLAINTIFF RESPECTFULLY SHOWS AND ALLEGES: Plaintiffs are residents of Aiken County, South Carolina, and has been for more than one (1) year prior to the filing of this action.Upon information and belief, the Defendant is a resident of the State of Oklahoma. The Plaintiffs do not possess a last known address for the Defendant. The minor child Aniya Marie Lloyd (DOB 6/18/2008) ("A.M.L."), a Black female over the age of fourteen (14) who is the subject ofthis action, is a resident of Aiken County, South Carolina, and has been for more than one (1) year prior to the filing of this action.Jurisdiction and venue are proper in Aiken County, South Carolina. Plaintiff Megan Lloyd Carter, is a 32 year old Black female currently residing at 229 Border Drive, Belvedere, SC 29841.Plaintiff Richard Mychal Carter, is a 38 year old Caucasian male currently residing at 229 Border Drive, Belvedere, SC 29841Plaintiff Richard Carter is currently married to the natural mother of A.M.L., Plaintiff Megan Carter. Plaintiffs have been married since March 6, 2015, and were married in Richmond County, Georgia. The natural mother has consented to the adoption of A.M.L. by the Plaintiff Richard Carter and believes it to be in the best interests of A.M.L. moving forward.A.M.L. was born in Richmond County, Georgia, on June 18, 2008. Defendant has failed to visit with or support A.M.L. in several years. Defendant does not have a relationship with A.M.L. Plaintiffs believe it is in the best interests of A.M.L. for Defendant's rights as her father to be terminated.Plaintiff Richard Carter and A.M.L. have a parent-child bond, having had such a bond for some time dating back to before Plaintiff and A.M.L.'s natural mother married, and Plaintiff Richard Carter wishes to formally establish such a relationship with the child. Plaintiff Richard Carter is a fit and proper person and is able to care for the child and to provide for the child's welfare. Plaintiff Richard Carter supports A.M.L. both emotionally and financially, and treats her as his own daughter. A.M.L. considers Plaintiff Richard Carter to be her father. It is in the best interests of A.M.L. and all parties involved for Plaintiff Richard Carter to be allowed to adopt A.M.L.A.M.L. has consented to being adopted by Plaintiff Richard Carter and is fully in support of the termination of parental rights and adoption moving forward.Upon information and belief, A.M.L. does not own or possess any real property nor does she own or possess any personal property of value.As the stepfather of A.M.L., Plaintiff believes that he is entitled to an adoption pursuant to the provisions of S.C. Code Ann.§ 63-9-1110.Plaintiff requests that all appropriate agencies be required to issue appropriate documentation, birth certificates, etc., reflecting the new birth status and relationship between the Plaintiff and A.M.L.Plaintiff further requests for A.M.L.'s name to be changed to Aniya Marie Lloyd- Carter to reflect that Plaintiff is her father. WHEREFORE Plaintiff prays that this Court: Terminate the parental rights of the Defendant with regards to A.M.L.; Grant the adoption pursuant to S.C. Code Ann § 63-9-1110 as requested above; Order all appropriate agencies to issue documentation reflecting the status of parentage, together with the issuance of an amended birth certificate to reflect the new name of the child as provided herein; andGrant such other and further relief as may be just. Notice of Adoption Proceedings - That an adoption proceeding was filed in the Family Court of Aiken County on May 8, 2025, regarding a Black female born on June 18, 2008, in Richmond County, Georgia, to birth mother Megan. You are receiving notice of this adoption as Megan identified you as the child's father.That in responding to this notice, you are required to use the caption and the number 2025-DR-02-________.That if Notice to Contest, Intervene or otherwise Respond is filed by you with the Court within thirty (30) days of the receipt of this Notice of Adoption Proceedings, you will be given an opportunity to appear and be heard on the merits of the adoption. To file notice to Contest, Intervene or otherwise Respond in this action, you must notify the above-named Court at the Aiken County Family Court, 109 Park Ave. SE, Aiken, South Carolina 29801, in writing of your reasons for Contesting, Intervening or otherwise Responding to the case. The above-named Court must be informed of your current address and any changes of your address during the adoption proceedings.That your failure to respond within thirty (30) days of receipt of this Notice of Adoption Proceedings constitutes your consent to the adoption and forfeiture of all of your rights and obligations to the above-named child. It is further alleged that your consent to this adoption is not required under South Carolina Code Section 63-9-310 and that your parental rights should be terminated pursuant to South Carolina Code Section 63-7-2570(3). Defendant Pittman, the natural father of the child in this case, has failed to visit with the child for the past seven years, has not attempted to set up visitation and would be a stranger to the child. This notice is given pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. Section 63-9-730(E). LPXLP October 17, 24, 31 2025 LOKL0388756