In the Interest of C.J.G. v. D.G.P.

LISA WHITE HARDWICK, Judge.

This appeal arises from the termination of a putative father’s parental rights and the adoption of his child based on abandonment. We reverse the trial court’s judgment, as the record does not provide clear, cogent and convincing evidence of abandonment to support the termination and adoption.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY1

B.J.G. (Mother) gave birth to C.J.G. on June 17, 1999. On April 14, 2000, the Shelby County Juvenile Court assumed jurisdiction over C.J.G. at the request of Mother, who herself was a juvenile and a ward of the court. The court left C.J.G. in…