McGathey v. Griffin

JUSTICE LEWIS*

delivered the opinion of the court:

Jason Michael Griffin, age six, died intestate on July 22, 1985. The deceased child had been the subject of a contested adoption brought by his mother, Debra Ann McGathey (petitioner-appellee), and her second husband, Boyd H. McGathey. In the adoption proceeding, the trial court entered an order terminating the parental rights of the child’s natural father, Robert H. Griffin (respondent-appellant), after finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that the respondent was an unfit parent. Before the adoption was completed, the child died leaving…