Reanna Rodgers, Appellant v. Destiny Rodgers, Appellee

Summary

The court affirmed the stepparent adoption because Reanna significantly and without justifiable cause failed to communicate with her children for more than one year before the adoption petition was filed. Although a custody order suspended visitation, it did not prohibit other communication, and Reanna made no effort to contact the children or seek review of the order after obtaining negative drug-test results. Justice Womack and Justice Baker dissented, contending that the temporary order justified at least part of the noncommunication period and that the statutory year had not accrued before the petition was filed; Justice Wynne concurred in the result on the alternative ground that Reanna unjustifiably failed to provide support.