In re: Adoption of Heather Christine Hatcher

OPINION

BEN H. CANTRELL, Presiding Judge, M.S.

Fifteen months after granting the adoption of an infant child, the Juvenile Court of Dickson County voided the adoption for a host of substantive and procedural problems — including the subject matter jurisdiction of the court and the failure of the biological mother to sign the surrender. The adopting parents urge us to hold that Tenn.Code Ann. § 36 — 1—122(b)(1) cures all defects in the former proceeding after the adoption order becomes final. We reject that contention, but hold that the biological mother effectively surrendered the child. We…