month because the husband had been disabled and was unable to work.
The case was tried on August 29, 1977. At time of trial the husband was a 32-year-old construction worker. His take-home pay, when working, was $884 per month. His income had been reduced during 1977 because of an injury to his knee. He admitted that he was an alcoholic and that he still drank on occasion, although he had completed a rehabilitation course for alcoholics at a local institution. The wife testified that her husband had not been cured of alcoholism, still drinks, and would not be a proper person to have custody of the children. She testified to acts of violence against her and the children, some of which the husband admitted.
The wife was 28 yearsold at the time of trial and was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. She had a gross income of $710 per month. The testimony of the social worker appointed by the court to investigate the care of the children was that both the wife and the husband could adequately care for the children. The trial judge questioned the two older children in chambers. The girl preferred to live with her mother. The boy preferred to live with his father.
The decree of the District Court dissolved the marriage and granted the wife custody of the three minor children, subject to reasonable visitation rights by the husband. The husband was ordered to pay child support of $50 per month per child until he was able to return to work,