Matter of Adoption of Reeves

The natural mother and the stepfather of a minor child petition for a decree making the stepfather the adoptive father. The respondent is the child’s natural father and the former spouse of the natural mother. Having failed to obtain the father’s consent to the adoption, the petitioners sought to prove that such consent was unnecessary by virtue of ORS 109.324, which provides in pertinent part:

"* * * [I]f the court finds that such parent has wilfully deserted or neglected without just and sufficient cause to provide proper care and maintenance for the child for one year next preceding the…