Matter of Welfare of Gillispie

TODD, Justice.

Bruce Gillispie, the natural father of Lori Marie and James Allen Gillispie, refused to consent to the adoption of his children by their stepfather. A petition for termination of parental rights was filed. The trial court ordered Bruce’s parental rights terminated, finding that the respondent father, by his actions, had abandoned the children, We vacate the termination order.

Bruce Gillispie and Lynn Gillispie Bulena were married in 1971 when Bruce was 17 and Lynn was 16. Lynn was pregnant at the time of the marriage. Bruce’s parents objected to the marriage, but Lynn’s mother…