In re Inquiry into J. J. S.

This is an appeal by the natural parents of a minor child from a judgment of the District Court, Richland County. In the judgment, permanent custody of the child with the right to consent to adoption was awarded to the Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services (SRS) of the State of Montana.

The minor child was born to appellants on July 9, 1975, in Dickinson, North Dakota. At the time of his birth, his father was 26 years old and his mother was 16 years old.

In 1976, the family moved to Wolf Point, Montana. On or about March 24, 1976, the father was in jail for drunkenness. It was at this…