S. C. Department of Social Services v. Parker

Ness, Justice:

This appeal is from an order terminating appellant James Roy’s parental rights in his illegitimate son and placing the child with respondent South Carolina Department of Social Servces for adoption. We affirm.

Michael Jo Smith was born illegitimately to Ellen Smith, now Ellen Smith Parker.1 Prior to his birth and through his eleventh year, appellant steadfastly denied paternity and neither visited nor contributed to Michael’s support.

During this period, Michael suffered severe deprivation and was physically and emotionally abused by his mother’s paramour. In 1976, the Department…