Case Caption: Karimah Clarke v. Ronaldo LopezCase Number: S. Ct. Civ. No. 2019-0074Date: 06/17/2020Author: Hodge, Rhys S. Citation: 2020 VI 11Summary: The Superior Court abused its discretion by dismissing sua sponte a petition by one of the parents of a minor child for a custodial order granting sole authority to apply for a United States passport on the child’s behalf. The Family Division of the Superior Court has original jurisdiction to determine the custody or guardianship of any child living within the judicial division, for adoption or other care provision, and to determine parental rights in connection with such proceedings, as provided in 4 V.I.C. § 172. The petition requests that the court “determine the custody” of the child for purposes of applying for a passport, and it was error to dismiss the petition for lack of jurisdiction. Because the Superior Court has jurisdiction, the August 19, 2019 dismissal order is reversed and this matter is remanded to allow the petition to be considered on the merits.Attachment: Open Document or Opinion