Douglas R Phares v. Amber Lazo

── Douglas R Phares v. Amber Lazo ── Case No.: 25A-DC-01192 Court: Indiana Court of Appeals Date: November 12, 2025 Author: Judge Paul Mathias County of Origin: Vanderburgh Category: Civil Decision: Reversed Judge Vaidik and Judge Pyle concur Father and Mother started dating in 2012. Mother gave birth to Child in 2014. Child has lived in Evansville with Father for Child’s entire life. Father and Mother were married in 2020. A few weeks later, Mother, who was a member of the United States military, deployed to the nation of Qatar. While in Qatar, Mother “detach[ed] [her]self” from Father and Child. Tr. p. 59. Meanwhile, Father was Child’s “primary provider and care giver.” Id. at 60. Mother returned to Evansville to live with Father and Child in late April or early May 2021.