Termination of Parental Rights • Step-Parent Adoption • 23 Pa.C.S. §2511(a)(1)

In re JND, PICS Case No. 17-1152 (C.P. Lycoming July 3, 2017) McCoy, J. (10 pages).

Biological father evinced a settled purpose of relinquishing his parental rights where he had only minimal contact with the child during the first three years of her life, and no contact at all since 2009. Mother imposed no obstacles preventing father's contact with the child. The court held termination of father's parental rights was in the child's best interests.

Mother and stepfather sought to terminate the parental rights of the biological father of the minor child, JND, and to allow stepfather to adopt the child. Father was served by publication. He failed to appear at the hearing.