Patterson et al v. HILLAHEALTHCARE et al
Filing
15
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER-- IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiffs' motions for leave to proceed in forma pauperis [Docs. # 2 and # 3 ] are GRANTED. FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk shall not issue process or cause process to be issued, because this ac tion will be dismissed, without prejudice. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1654 and 1915(e). FURTHER ORDERED that all remaining pending motions areDENIED as moot. A separate Order of Dismissal shall accompany this Memorandum and Order. Signed by District Judge Jean C. Hamilton on 08/14/2013. (CLK)
Patterson et al v. HILLAHEALTHCARE et al
Doc. 15
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
EASTERN DIVISION
LA TONYA PATTERSON, on behalf
of IMMP AND VCMP, minors, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
HILLAHEATHCARE, et al.,
Defendants.
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No. 4:13-CV-1074-TIA
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
On June 6, 2013, plaintiff La Tonya Patterson and her mother, Vivian
Patterson, filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action, pro se, on behalf of La Tonya
Patterson’s two minor children, IMMP and VCMP [Doc. #1]. Plaintiffs request in
forma pauperis status, which the Court will grant; however, for the reasons set
forth below, the Court will dismiss this action without further proceedings.
A litigant may bring his or her own claims to federal court without counsel,
but not the claims of others. See 28 U.S.C. § 1654; Lewis v. Lenc-Smith Mfg. Co.,
784 F.2d 829, 830 (7th Cir. 1986)(person not licensed to practice law may not
represent another individual in federal court). A non-attorney parent or legal
guardian must be represented by counsel when bringing an action on behalf of
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another person. Cf. Cheung v. Youth Orchestra Foundation of Buffalo, Inc., 906
F.2d 59, 61 (2d Cir. 1990)(non-attorney parent must be represented by counsel
when bringing action on behalf of child). Because La Tonya and Vivian Patterson
are not attorneys, the Court will dismiss this action, without prejudice.1
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiffs' motions for leave to proceed in
forma pauperis [Docs. #2 and #3] are GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk shall not issue process or
cause process to be issued, because this action will be dismissed, without
prejudice. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1654 and 1915(e).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all remaining pending motions are
DENIED as moot.
1
The Court also notes that this action arises out of a foster care dispute and
plaintiffs’ efforts to regain custody of La Tonya Patterson's two minor children;
however, the domestic relations exception precludes the exercise of federal
jurisdiction in such cases. Cf. Kahn v. Kahn, 21 F.3d 859 (8th Cir. 1994).
Pursuant to this exception, federal courts are divested of jurisdiction over any
action in which the subject is divorce, the allowance of alimony, or child custody.
See id. at 861. In addition, when a cause of action closely relates to, but does not
precisely fit into the contours of an action for divorce, alimony, or child custody,
federal courts generally will abstain from exercising jurisdiction. Id.
2
A separate Order of Dismissal shall accompany this Memorandum and
Order.
Dated this 14th day of August, 2013.
/s/Jean C. Hamilton
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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