Termination of parental rights?

Question

According to Missouri State Statutes Chap. 211 would I be able to terminate my paerental rights closely look at section 2 subsections 2a & 2b, section 6 subsections 1 & 5. http://www.moga.state.mo.us/statutes/C200-299/2110000447.HTM . Aprox. 2 and a half years ago, I met a girl whom I dated for 3 weeks. On the 3rd week she claimed she was pregnant I was not mad, in fact I told her I wanted to go the doctor with her, and was ready to start a family. When we mwt her mother had stated she wanted grandkids, and she stated she wanted a baby. She also stated she could not get pregnant. Literally 2 days after getting pregnant she took off. I never heard from her agian. Abouth a month ago I got some papers from DFS in Missouri requesting paternal DNA testing, well it turns it was mine, it also turned out as soon as she got pregnant she got back with her ex. The baby is now 18 months old, I have never met the child, the child calls him Daddy, I think it would be do more harm than good for me to come barging into the childs life now only for her to learn I am daddy. I have a family of my own with 2 kids, this could possibly break up my family. I seriously think it would be in the best of interest of the child and myself to terminate my rights. According to the state statutes should I be able to terminate my rights, if anyone can please help me or get me some usefull info I would really apreciate. Any suggestions or comments are also welcomed. My wife is aware of all this but she is fierous that I have to pay child support. I have no interest in the child I. I have my 2 loving babys and a loving wife. The fact the other female lied to me and is just now coming around and claiming me as daddy and asking for money, I wanna terminate my rightsand hopefully financial responsibility. I know it sounds babd on my part. You have to be in my shoes to understand it. I really am a wonderfull dad to my 2 kids at home. This girl just wrecked my life and lied to me just so she could have a baby.

Answer 1

I think you are misreading the statute. Before the sub-section you refer to, it states: "if such a petition has been filed by another party, the juvenile officer or the division shall seek to be joined as a party to the petition, when:". That, to me, reads that the juvenile officer or the division must take action to join in a case under the circumstances that are listed below (including the sections you refer to). It looks to me like you are placing too much emphasis on this section, which seems more to deal with the rights of the juvenile court to take action (on its initiative) to terminate parental rights.

Your explanation doesn't exactly say what the DFS (or the mother) is now asking of you, so you may be making lots of assumptions at this point, and there could be many reasons, as stated above, for the DFS's involvement. And yes, you could be required to pay child support, but no you can't be forced to have visitation with the child.

There could be a number of reasons for terminating your parental rights (which usually will require the mother to go along with), but you really should seek the advice of an experienced family law attorney (in Missouri) to help you through this situation.

Answer 2

It's a very unfortunate situation you are in. I'm sorry. I'm certainly not a legal expert, but I did read through the sections you mentioned. In 2a and 2b, I don't think your daughter qualifies as abandoned, as you never left her where no one knew her (unable to be identified) and you didn't leave her without any provisions for parental support (she was with her mother). That's how I read it. I see what you are saying about section 6 and though I don't disagree that you have no interest or emotional ties...I think the main point of these laws is for when the state is allowed to terminate parental rights on a parent. Honestly, if it was as easy as saying "I haven't ever seen my child and don't have and interest in her" there would be far fewer men paying child support. Unfortunate. Sorry, but that's how I see it. Really, I would consult a lawyer. They should be able to tell you in an instant.

Try to understand that it might not be her intention to wreck your life...maybe she applied for...anything from Medicaid to WIC or who knows what else and they required that child support be collected. It might be possible that she is doing this and wants you to terminate your rights so that the child's "Daddy" can adopt her. Of course, I'm making wild guesses here. Have you talked to her to find out what she's up to? Obviously, she does not want you involved in the child's life or she would have tried for child support right away, right? If you are paying child support, you then have a right (or are legally bound) to visit your daughter, right? My guess is that she may not necessarily want that and was maybe forced to go after child support...

Anyway, sorry I rambled and I wish you the best of luck with this. Call a lawyer, really.

Answer 3

You wrecked your own life by having unprotected sex with a girl you barely knew. Just because she said she could not get pregnant is not a good excuse for not protecting yourself by wearing a condom (a fact I have already drilled into my 13 year old son's head as kids even younger than him start having sex).

You cannot terminate your rights or financial responsibility other than if the mother willfully agrees to the termination and the new man in her life legally adopts the child.

You cannot be compelled to have interaction with your child, but you can be compelled to pay child support until the child is 18.

You sound like an adult and responsible, so take responsibility.

Answer 4

To terminate parental rights someone needs to be ready to adopt the child. You should consult an attorney. Otherwise, pay support and make a decision whether you want to be in this child's life. You are required to pay child support it is a responsibility, visitation is a privilege.