Walker, Amanda v. Topher Halligan

Summary

The Court affirmed the denial of the petition to terminate Father’s parental rights. It held that Mother failed to prove the statutory requirements for unintentional abandonment because Father’s earlier paternity petition did not satisfy the statute’s relevant-period requirement, and the Family Court’s finding that Father was able and willing to reestablish contact and provide support was supported by the record. Because no statutory ground for termination was established, the Family Court properly did not reach the child’s best interests.