Hafer v. Lowry

MCFADDEN, Judge.

The father of a minor child appeals from a trial court order terminating his parental rights and granting a petition for stepparent adoption of the child. Because the trial court violated the father’s right to be heard and show cause why his parental rights should not be terminated, we vacate the order and remand for further proceedings.

Appellant Michael Hafer and Tara Hafer Lowry were formerly married. During the marriage, in November 2007, Tara gave birth to the couple’s child, M. Q. H. The couple divorced in September 2008, and the divorce decree awarded sole custody of the…