In Re Adoption of Baby Boy Doe

DURHAM, Justice:

Appellant challenges the decision of the lower court which terminated his parental rights to Baby Boy Doe, appellant’s illegitimate son. For the reasons stated below, we reverse.

Appellant, a California resident, lived with Baby Boy Doe’s mother, S.H., for three and a half years in California. In June 1984, S.H. moved to Utah to live with her brother and sister-in-law. At that time, S.H. was pregnant with appellant’s child. While she was in Utah, S.H.’s relatives tried to discourage any contact between S.H. and appellant. Appellant, however, continued to speak to S.H. on the…