Dobbs v. STATE DEPT. OF PENSIONS AND SEC.

This is an appeal of a juvenile court decision terminating the parental rights of Dianne Mitchell Dobbs (Mitchell) to her minor child Robert Jason Mitchell (Robbie). This appeal was taken to the Court of Civil Appeals, but was transferred to this Court pursuant to Alabama Code (1975), § 12-3-15.

The case arose from these facts:

Robbie Mitchell was born the illegitimate son of Dianne Mitchell on October 26, 1979. At that time, Mitchell lived in the Mobile area. She became involved with James Dobbs in February 1980, and the couple and the child moved to Selma approximately two months later.

While…