Heinrichs v. Kerchner

Bates, Judge, delivered the opinion of the court. This is an action for damages for the seduction by the defendant of a daughter of the plaintiff, whereby the daughter became pregnant and bore a child, by which means the plaintiff lost her services, &c. It appeared in evidence that the husband of the plaintiff was living at the time the defendant seduced their daughter, but that the husband of the plaintiff died before the birth of the child, and the court instructed the jury as follows : [380] “ If the husband of the plaintiff and father of the daughter Margaretha was alive, at home, and the head of the family at the time of the alleged seduction, they will find for the defendant, notwithstanding the child was born after the death of the husband of plaintiff.” Upon the giving of that instruction the plaintiff took a non-suit, and brought up the case to this court. The injury done by the seduction was done at the time of the seduction, and the defendant’s liability was to the person or persons then injured. The action by a parent for the seduction of a daughter being based upon the supposed loss of the services of the daughter, can only be maintained by the person to whom the services were due, and during the life of the father, he as the head of the family was entitled to her services, and consequently was the person injured. The mother could not have sued during the lifetime of the husband, and the birth of the child afterwards did not give her a right of action. (Vossel v. Cole, 10 Mo. 634.) Judgment affirmed. Judges Bay and Dry den concur.