In re Adoption of Pushcar

{¶ 1} The appellee, Nicholas Verdone, is the natural father of Rebecca Lynn Verdone, who was born on September 9, 1999. The appellee signed the birth certificate, and the signature resulted in his entry in the Centralized Paternity Registry, which registered the appellee as the child’s legal father in an out-of-wedlock birth. The appellee and the child’s mother never married but resided together with the child until July 2001.

{¶ 2} On March 22, 2002, the mother, who was represented by counsel, and the appellee signed an agreement concerning visitation and support. The appellee exercised…