Darrow v. Department of Social & Health Services

Montgomery Darrow appeals from a trial court order permanently terminating his parental rights in his daughter Leeanne. The issue presented is whether a parent incarcerated at an out-of-state prison is entitled to appear at a parental termination hearing to oppose the permanent termination.

While living with his girlfriend in Phoenix, Darrow fathered a child born April 14, 1975. The father and mother quarreled 6 months later, causing the mother and child to move out and come to Seattle. There has been no contact between Darrow and his daughter since 1975. The mother voluntarily submitted to an…