IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA IN RE: ) Petition of ) WILLIAM ANDREW BLACKARD ) To Adopt: ) MATTHEW WHITLEY RUSSELL ) CIVIL ACTION NO: SUA25005M NOTICE OF SUMMONS - SERVICE BY PUBLICATION TO: ANY UNKNOWN/UNNAMED POTENTIAL PUTATIVE FATHERS POTENTIAL BIOLOGICAL FATHERS OF PROPOSED ADOPTEE: You are hereby notified that a Petition for Adoption seeking Adoption of M. W. Russell was filed against you in said Court on March 26, 2025, and that you are hereby commanded and required to file with the Clerk of said Court and serve upon the Petitioner's attorney, whose address is: Lexye L. Shockley, Esq. The Ratchford Firm 1575 Highway 21 South P.O. Box 1039 Springfield, GA 31329 an answer to the complaint within sixty (60) days of the date of first publication. Pursuant to O.C.G.A.SS 19-8-12(b), you are further advised that as the biological father who is not the legal father of the minor child named in the petition, you will lose all rights to the child and will neither receive notice nor be entitled to object to the adoption of the child if, within 30 days of receipt of such notice, you: 1. Do not file a legitimation petition and give notice as required in subsection (e) of this Code section; 2. File a legitimation petition which is subsequently dismissed for failure to prosecute; or 3. File a legitimation petition and the action is subsequently concluded without a court order declaring a finding that he is the father of the child. You are hereby further notified that this matter will be heard before the Honorable Michael T. Muldrew, Chief Judge, at the Effingham County Superior Court, 700 N. Pine Street, Springfield, Georgia, on the 23rd day of June, 2025 at 9:00 for a hearing on Petitioners' Petition for Adoption. Witness the Hon. Michael T. Muldrew, Chief Judge of said Court. This 3rd day of April, 2025. Jason Shepley Clerk / Deputy Clerk Superior Court of Effingham County, Georgia Ogeechee Judicial Circuit 21838 4/30/25 RL