D.A. v. D.R.L.

I concur with the remarks made by Justice Moore. However, I believe one matter warrants further discussion.

Most of the plurality opinion can be explained by its refusal to accept the holding in In the Matter of J.J.J. 718 P.2d 948 (Alaska 1986). Less explicable and very troubling is its apparent acknowledgement that L.R.A.’s brief absence from the state constitutes justifiable cause for D.R.L.’s failure to communicate meaningfully with her.

L.R.A. was between two years eight months and two years ten months of age when she was visiting in Arizona. While we would all agree that it is a very rare…