Glenn and Bonita Shepherd, Plaintiffs Below, Appellants v. Rita Clemens, A/k/a Rita Shepherd and Greg Howe…

Summary

The court reversed the Family Court and held that clear and convincing evidence established the biological father's abandonment of Christopher and that termination of both parents' rights served Christopher's best interests. The court concluded that the father's biological connection, without an actual relationship or assumption of parental responsibilities, did not create a constitutionally protected right to prevent adoption. Justice Berger, dissenting, would have affirmed because the majority improperly displaced the Family Court's factual findings and overlooked the possibility of preserving Christopher's relationship with his father and paternal family.