N.S. v. C

STEPHENS, Chief Justice.

REVERSING

The general question we address in this appeal is the standard of proof necessary to involuntarily terminate the rights of a natural parent to his child.

Respondents B & B.S. are the natural twin daughters of movant, N.S., an unmarried woman. Their father is unknown. In 1974, the twins, then 2½ years old, were removed from the custody of their mother and were placed with respondents C and M.S., who became their foster parents. In 1977, respondents, C and M.S., and the Department for Human Resources, initiated an adoption proceeding pursuant to the then existing…