Idaho Department of Health & Welfare v. Doe

BURDICK, Justice.

John Doe, biological father of Jane Doe (“Jane”), appeals the magistrate court’s decision that he never perfected any parental rights to Jane and that, if he did have parental rights, his rights are terminated on grounds of abandonment, neglect and Jane’s best interest. John Doe argues that he did not know he was Jane’s biological father until he was served with the termination papers, from which point he has acted in a manner entitling him to parental rights. We affirm.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Jane is the youngest of four children born to Jane Doe II (“Mother”).…