In the Interest of A.W.

Anthony Hunter raped his eleven-year-old stepdaughter, J. A. W., who became pregnant and gave birth to A. W. in January 1997. Hunter subsequently pled guilty to statutory rape, child molestation, incest, and cruelty to children charges, and was sentenced to twenty years in prison followed by twenty years probation. Hunter has never contacted or contributed in any way to the support of the child. The Department of Human Resources filed a petition to terminate Hunter’s parental rights on August 27, 1998. After being served with the petition and summons, together with the notice required by OCGA § 15-11-83, Hunter took no action to legitimate the child. Hunter appeared at the termination hearing and announced that he would not take the oath or cooperate in any way with the State. He said that he only appeared to speak on behalf of the mother, whose rights had previously been terminated:

I was made aware for the first time that the biological mother’s rights have been terminated. Had I been aware of this before my transportation, my presence here would not be required or necessary. I only came here to speak as an advocate for her. In any other form, way, or shape I am not going to cooperate with the State whatsoever.