WTM v. Department of Human Resources

W.T.M. appeals from the trial court's judgment ordering that his child remain in the custody of the Alabama Department of Human Resources ("DHR").

In May 1997, DHR petitioned for custody of the child, alleging that the child was dependent and should be placed with DHR. The child's father was unknown at the time. Apparently, the mother stipulated to the child's dependency, and the trial court placed temporary custody of the child with DHR. Paternity tests were completed in February 1998; they established that W.T.M. was the child's father. In March 1998, W.T.M. and his sister, S.B., petitioned…