Larry Allen Coats - Page 5




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          both Laura Coats and Shawona Higgins satisfied the age                      
          requirement.  Respondent concedes that Laura Coats satisfied the            
          relationship test.                                                          
               Respondent argues that Laura Coats did not satisfy the                 
          residency requirement.  Respondent contends that school records             
          reflect that Laura Coats lived at the South Green residence, not            
          petitioner’s West Potomac residence, during 1998.  Respondent               
          also contends that the distance between Wentworth Elementary                
          School and the South Green residence as compared to the distance            
          between Wentworth Elementary School and petitioner’s West Potomac           
          residence reflects that Laura Coats lived at the South Green                
          residence.                                                                  
               Petitioner argues that Laura Coats satisfied the residency             
          requirement in 1998.  Petitioner testified that Laura Coats lived           
          at petitioner’s West Potomac residence for more than 9 months in            
          1998.  Petitioner testified that 1998 was a volatile year in the            
          neighborhood surrounding the South Green residence.  Petitioner             
          testified that as a result of that volatility, and out of concern           
          for the well-being of the children, Laura Coats and Shawona                 
          Higgins lived with petitioner.  He further testified that “it               
          wouldn’t have been just to take them out of school.  We thought             
          it was best just to commute back and forth for their sake.”                 
               We find petitioner’s testimony credible.  We find                      
          convincing petitioner’s explanation for the discrepancy between             






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