APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

Two former Salvation Army officers, a husband and wife who had been demoted and discharged, sued their superior officers and The Salvation Army itself for invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and outrageous conduct. The Circuit Court of Davidson County dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. We affirm, and hold, in addition, that the defendants’ actions were protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

This appeal involves post-divorce petitions for change of custody and child support. The mother, Elizabeth Davis Black (Tepas), has appealed from the judgment of the Trial Court transferring custody of the eleven year old daughter, Chelsea, from the mother to the father, Michael Walter Black, and relieving him of the obligation of child support while the child was in the custody of the father by agreement of the parties.