IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF MCDUFFIE COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA

IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF MCDUFFIE COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA IN THE INTEREST OF: G. W.; Case Number: 097-26J-0005; Male Born 2023. NOTICE OF SUMMONS TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: MARCUS HAWES or AN UNKNOWN MALE YOU ARE NOTIFIED that the above styled action seeking the termination of the parental rights of the parents of the above-named child was filed against you in said Court on the 15th day of January 2026. YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED AND REQUIRED to appear before the Juvenile Court of Warren County, Georgia, at the McDuffie County Government Center located at 210 Railroad Street, Thomson, Georgia on the 13th day of May 2026, at 9:30 a.m. This hearing is for the purpose of determining whether your parental rights should be terminated. The effect of an order terminating parental rights under O.C.G.A. Section 15-11-93 is without limit as to duration and terminates all the parent's rights and obligations of the child to the parent arising from the parental relationship, including rights of inheritance. If you fail to appear, the court can terminate your rights in your absence. If the court at the trial finds that the facts set out in the petition to terminate your parental rights are true and that termination of your rights will serve the best interests of your child, the court can enter a judgment ending your rights to your child. If the judgment terminates your parental rights, you will no longer have any rights to your child. This means that you will not have the right to visit, contact or have custody of your child or make any decisions affecting your child or your child's earnings or property. Your child will be legally freed to be adopted by someone else. The parent whose rights are terminated is not thereafter entitled to notice of proceedings for the adoption of the child by another, nor has the parent any right to object to the adoption or otherwise participate in the proceedings. Even if your parental rights are terminated: (1) You will still be responsible for providing financial support (child support payments) for your child's care unless and until your child is adopted; and (2) Your child can still inherit from you unless and until your child is adopted. A copy of the petition may be obtained from the Clerk of the Juvenile Court at 210 Railroad Street, Thomson, Georgia 30824 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. exclusive of holidays. A free copy shall be available to the parents. Upon request, the copy will be mailed to the requester – parents or alleged parents only. The child is in the present physical custody of McDuffie County Division of Family and Children Services. The general nature of the allegations is termination of parental rights. ANY PUTATIVE FATHER, YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that you lose all rights to the child and will not be entitled to object to the termination of your rights to the child unless, within 30 days of receipt such notice, you file: (1) A petition to legitimate the child pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 19-7-22; and (2) Provide notice of the filing of the petition to legitimate with the Court in which this action is pending and to Glee C. Smith, 21 Court Square, Warrenton, GA 30828. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that while responsive pleadings other than the petition to legitimate are not mandatory they are permissible and you are encouraged to file with the Clerk of this court and serve upon the Petitioner's attorney, Glee C. Smith, 21 Court Square, Warrenton, GA 30828, an answer or other responsive pleading within thirty (30) days of the date you are served with this notice. This is a very serious matter. You should contact an attorney immediately so that you can be prepared for the court hearing. You have the right to hire an attorney and to have him or her represent you. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney if the court finds that you are an indigent person. Whether or not you decide to hire an attorney, you have the right to attend the hearing of your case, to call witnesses on your behalf and to question those witnesses brought against you. If you have any questions concerning this notice, you may call the telephone number of the clerk's office which is 706-465-2262. WITNESS THE HONORABLE James T. Jones, Jr., Judge of said Court. CLERK, JUVENILE COURT OF MCDUFFIE COUNTY NOTICE OF EFFECT OF TERMINATION JUDGMENT Georgia law provides that you can permanently lose your rights as a parent. A petition to terminate parental rights has been filed requesting the court to terminate your parental rights to your child. A copy of the petition to terminate parental rights is available from the Clerk's Office. A court hearing of your case has been scheduled for the 13th day of May 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Juvenile Court of McDuffie County, Georgia. Said hearing will be in the McDuffie County Government Center located at 210 Humphrey Street, Thomson, Georgia. If you fail to appear, the court can terminate your rights in your absence. If the court at the trial finds that the facts set out in the petition to terminate your parental rights are true and that termination of your rights will serve the best interests of your child, the court can enter a judgment ending your rights to your child. If the judgment terminates your parental rights, you will no longer have any rights to your child. This means that you will not have the right to visit, contact or have custody of your child or make any decisions affecting your child or your child's earnings or property. Your child will be legally freed to be adopted by someone else. Even if your parental rights are terminated: (1) You will still be responsible for providing financial support (child support payments) for your child's care unless and until your child is adopted; and (2) Your child can still inherit from you unless and until your child is adopted. This is a very serious matter. You should contact an attorney immediately so that you can be prepared for the court hearing. You have the right to hire an attorney and to have him or her represent you. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney if the court finds that you are an indigent person. Whether or not you decide to hire an attorney, you have the right to attend the hearing of your case, to call witnesses on your behalf and to question those witnesses brought against you. If you have any questions concerning this notice, you may call the telephone number of the clerk's office which is (706) 595-1781. NOTICE TO BIOLOGICAL FATHER TO: MARCUS HAWES or AN UNKNOWN MALE, alleged biological father of above-named child The foregoing is a petition for the termination of your parental rights. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that you lose all rights to the child and will not be entitled to object to the termination of your rights to the child unless, within 30 days of receipt of such notice, you file: (1) A petition to legitimate the child pursuant to Code Section 19-7-22; and (2) Provide notice of the filing of the petition to legitimate with the Court in which this action is pending and to Glee C. Smith, 21 Court Square, Warrenton, Georgia, 30828. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that while responsive pleadings other than the petition to legitimate are not mandatory they are permissible and you are encouraged to file with the Clerk of this court and serve upon Petitioner's attorney, Glee C. Smith at 21 Court Square, Warrenton, Georgia, 30828, an answer or other responsive pleading within thirty (30) days of the date this notice was served on you. March 13, 20, 27, April 3 2026 LGSC0475910