The fight for custody of Baby Vanessa

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - A heated custody battle involving a 2-year-old California child was underway in Montgomery County Juvenile Court.

Judge Nick Kuntz presided over a hearing to determine the future of Baby Vanessa. She was placed up for adoption by her birth mother before she was born.

Now, her birth father, Benjamin Mills, Jr. said he wants her back. Mills said he never gave his consent to place his child up for adoption.

Several witnesses took the stand on Thursday. Most of them were family members and friends of Benjamin Mills, Jr. They testified that Mills was a great guy who loved children, and was well loved by his nieces and nephews.

He had the support of his extended family and church. His great uncle and sisters said they would all help Baby Vanessa get accustomed to life in Ohio. But, the question before the judge Thursday was, what about Benjamin Mills, Jr.? Was he capable of being a good father if he won custody of his daughter?

The only mother Baby Vanessa has ever known is Stacey Doss from Orange County.

Her birth mother, Andrea Conley, hand picked Doss to be the adoptive mother before her child was born. At the time, Conley said she did not know who Vanessa's father was, and that he was not in her life.

Mills showed up a few days later, demanding custody of his daughter.

He had a lot stacked up against him. A prison record for assaulting Conley. Court records indicated he pulled her hair out and beat her up.

Conley's father, Darrel Conley, told 2 News they found clumps of Andrea's hair and blood all over the bath tub.

Records also indicated Mills' drivers licence was suspended multiple times for failure to pay child support.

He had five children, but was not caring for any of them. His mother, Rena Jordan, had custody of some of his children.

"Every Sunday he's there at Church, we have a children's section and an adult section Bible study. He's faithful," said Carl Hoskins, an Associate Church Minister at Mills' home church.

Mills' great uncle, Arthur Willis Jordan, Jr. testified that Mills was a good family man.

"A family doesn't just mean being a sperm donor does it? Being a father means more than just impregnating a woman, correct?" said Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck.

The hearing was expected to continue on Friday.

Stacey Doss and Baby Vanessa were not present in court.