What happens if I am the Unknown Father and I miss the July 22, 2026 hearing?

If you do not appear by July 22, 2026 at 1:30 p.m., the court may proceed and terminate your parental rights.

How can Carlos Menchu prove he is the father before the hearing?

He should appear in court on July 22, 2026 and may request genetic testing or present evidence of parentage.

Who filed the petition to terminate parental rights?

The Virginia Beach Department of Human Services filed the petition on or about September 24, 2025.

Court Notice — 2401 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (JJ239084)

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Parental termination

Affects:DefendantsGovernment AgenciesHeirs

The Virginia Beach Department of Human Services has petitioned to terminate the parental rights of an Unknown Father (possibly Carlos Menchu) to child Jhonathan Shepard; the father must appear in court by July 22, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. or risk losing parental rights.

Key Takeaways

Hearing date: July 22, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Action: Appear in court to protect parental rights
Child: Jhonathan Shepard, born April 8, 2021
Possible respondent: Carlos Menchu or Unknown Father
Consequence: Permanent termination of parental rights if not contested

Deadline · Response Deadline

July 22, 2026

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Published: May 11, 2026 · 1 week ago
Category: Court Notice
City: Virginia Beach
Address: 2401 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Case #: JJ239084

Respond by62 days

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If you don't respond

If the Unknown Father (or Carlos Menchu) does not appear by July 22, 2026 at 1:30 p.m., the court may terminate parental rights under VA Code §16.1-283, permanently ending visitation and decision-making rights.

What to do next

1
Appear in court on the hearing date
Attend Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court on July 22, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. to contest termination.
2
Contact the City Attorney's Office
Call Elena E. Ilard, Esq. at (757) 385-4531 or send correspondence to 2401 Courthouse Drive, Room 2098, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
3
Seek legal counsel immediately
Get an attorney experienced in juvenile/parental-rights cases before July 22, 2026 to protect interests and request testing if needed.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I am the Unknown Father and I miss the July 22, 2026 hearing?: If you do not appear by July 22, 2026 at 1:30 p.m., the court may proceed and terminate your parental rights.
How can Carlos Menchu prove he is the father before the hearing?: He should appear in court on July 22, 2026 and may request genetic testing or present evidence of parentage.
Who filed the petition to terminate parental rights?: The Virginia Beach Department of Human Services filed the petition on or about September 24, 2025.

The suggestions and answers above are AI-generated for general information only. They can be wrong, and we don't take responsibility for their accuracy. Talk to a qualified professional before acting on them.

Legal terms in this notice

termination of parental rights: A court order permanently ends a parent's legal rights and responsibilities toward a child.
ORDER OF PUBLICATION: A court's directive to notify unknown or absent parties by publishing notice in a newspaper.
VA CODE §16.1-283: Virginia statute setting grounds and procedures for terminating parental rights.

Full Notice Text

VIRGINIA: IN THE VIRGINIA BEACH JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT
COURT
IN RE: 
Jhonathan Shepard
Juvenile, 
File No: JJ239084
VIRGINIA BEACH
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES,
Petitioner,
v.
Unknown Father
& Carlos Menchu
Respondents.
Party to be served: 
Unknown Father & Carlos Menchu
Last known address: 
Unknown, Unknown
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
The object of this suit is that on or about the 24th day of September, 2025, the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services petitioned the Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for the termination of the parental rights of the Unknown Father, the parent of Jhonathan Shepard, born on April 08, 2021; upon information and belief, the Unknown Father could be Carlos Menchu, said termination for Unknown Father pursuant to VA CODE section 16.1-283 (C)(1), (C)(2) & (D). The consequences of termination of residual parental rights are that a parent or parents forever relinquish all parental rights such as,  but not limited to, the rights of visitation, consent to adoption, companionship, association, education, discipline, guidance, the right to determine religious affiliation, all decision making concerning the child's welfare and the responsibility for support.
It is ORDERED that Unknown Father and/or Carlos Menchu, if he believes himself to be the father, appear at the above-named Court and protect their interests on or before July 22, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Amy Burnham, Clerk of Court
By: Grayson Finnerty, 
Deputy Clerk
Dated: 4/30/26
I ask for this:
Elena E. Ilard, Esq.
City Attorney's Office
2401 Courthouse Drive, 
Room 2098
Virginia Beach, VA 23456 
(757) 385-4531, 
Fax (757) 385-5687
5/11, 5/18, 5/25, & 6/1/26
71387

Court Notice — 2401 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (JJ239084)

What to do next

Frequently asked questions

Legal terms in this notice

See also

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