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Domestic Relations-Order of Protection-Family or Household Member
Staff Report//May 13, 2026//
Appellant appealed the entry of an order of protection against her and in favor of respondent, arguing that the trial court erred in finding that she was a family or household member of respondent. Appellant also challenged the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the trial court’s finding that she committed the predicate act of stalking.
Where respondent was merely engaged to appellant’s son, she was not related to appellant by marriage and thus respondent could not obtain a protective order for domestic violence, particularly where respondent failed to present evidence that she feared appellant would harm her.
Judgment is reversed and remanded.
A.D.S. v. T.L.M. (MLW No. 84762/Case No. ED113953 –7 pages) (Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, Gaertner, J.) Appealed from circuit court, Washington County, Dorsett, J. (Robert J. Bateman for appellant) (Lacey Ann Mersinger for respondent)
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