Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Paternity topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Court establishes paternity for baby Zane, orders early drug screen and staged increase in parenting time
Summary
After paternity testing confirmed Chase Westcott as the child’s father, the court set a staged parenting plan that begins with supervised Sunday visits and a required hair‑follicle drug test; the judge ordered parental notice for appointments and directed child‑support calculations based on reported income.
A Dixon County judge established paternity for Zane Westcott and set a staged schedule of parenting time after hearing testimony from both parents, family members and a court‑appointed observer.
Chase Tyler Westcott told the court he has steady employment with Wilkam Travis Electric, attends trade school for his journeyman license and lives with family who would help care for the child. The mother, Kalyn Brook Tittle, said she has been the child’s primary caregiver since birth and asked the court to limit the father’s time because the parties are not living together and she is concerned about safety and inconsistent support.
Judge David D. Wolfe found the genetic evidence and testimony sufficient to confirm paternity and set a temporary parenting plan designed to move the parents toward a regular shared parent‑child relationship while addressing safety and reliability concerns.
Key orders the court announced included: - Paternity established. The court recorded that the father was the biological parent and entitled to parental rights and responsibilities. - An initial supervised visit to occur on the next available Sunday at the father’s sister’s home (the court named the sister’s residence as the supervised site). The first visit was set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday; the sister will supervise while the arrangement is supervised. - A hair‑follicle drug screen (10‑panel) to be taken within 24 hours; if the test is negative, visits will move to unsupervised and then be progressively expanded on a schedule the judge set: after four weeks to 8‑hour visits (beginning February 8, if sequence proceeds), and after another month to weekly overnights (Saturday noon to Sunday 5 p.m.). The court said bad weather or other events could change the start dates. - The father was directed to begin child support immediately; the judge asked counsel to calculate an amount based on Westcott’s reported $23‑per‑hour wage and to work out timing. The judge encouraged using wage assignment or an electronic traceable payment method so there is a record. - The father was required to maintain medical insurance for the child and the parties were ordered to notify one another of appointments so either parent can attend when possible. The mother was asked to provide the child’s Social Security number so insurance and benefits could be processed.
At the hearing, family witnesses — including Ashley Stanley and Mary (Stanley) Soaps — described Westcott as engaged with children and recommended giving him the chance to care for Zane. The mother and other witnesses described concerns about whether Westcott had consistently met caregiving tasks and noted past criminal‑justice involvement; Westcott testified he completed required probationary conditions and drug testing and said he has been sober since his conviction and is taking steps to stabilize employment and schooling.
Judge Wolfe said the staged program balances the child’s need for stability with the father’s interest in building a relationship. The drug‑screen requirement and staged expansion create objective checkpoints the court can revisit if new facts arise.
The order is temporary and the judge said the family may return for earlier review if concerns arise; counsel will submit the child‑support calculation and the court will enter a written order reflecting the schedule.
