Fisher v. Barker Foundation

NEWMAN, Chief Judge:

Appellant, the unwed father of Baby Boy Davis sought custody of the child, and opposed adoption by the G. family. The court found that adoption would be in the child’s best interest, and therefore granted it. Appellant now contends that the District of Columbia adoption scheme violates due process by permitting the termination of parental rights (through adoption) over the objection of a natural parent, without a finding that the natural parent is unfit to raise the child. Appellant also argues that it was error to deny a mistrial where the trial judge had seen…