State, Department of Health & Welfare, Ex Rel. Washington v. Annen

'This is a paternity action brought ten years after the birth of the child in question by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The central issue is whether the State’s action is barred by laches. We hold that it is not, vacate the magistrate’s order which dismissed this action on grounds of laches, and remand this case for further proceedings.

I

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In July 1980, seventeen-year-old Virginia Nicklaus (Nicklaus) gave birth to a baby girl, Jennifer. Nicklaus received public aid for the birth from the State of Idaho. Nicklaus told the State the father was Appellant…