Michael W., Appellant v. Tina Brown and Robert Brown, Appellees.

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court held that the phrase “suspended by circumstances” in AS 13.26.132 refers to a parent’s inability to accept parental duties, not merely a child’s welfare, and therefore Michael W.’s parental rights were not suspended. Accordingly, the court vacated the guardianship order appointing the grandparents and remanded with instructions to dismiss the petition.