In re Oscar C.

OPINION

MURRAY, Justice.

This is an appeal by Oscar B. Chapman III, the natural father of Oscar C., from a Family Court decree permitting the natural mother’s husband to adopt Oscar C. without the natural father’s consent, as permitted under G.L. 1956 (1988 Reenactment) § 15-7-7. The natural father’s parental rights were terminated on grounds that “[t]he parent has willfully neglected to provide proper care and maintenance for the child for a period of at least one year where financially able to do so.” Section 15-7-7(l)(a).1 We reverse.

The following facts are established by the record. Oscar…