Berry v. Letchworth

In this proceeding the natural mother and the stepfather of a young child in the custody of the natural mother seek a decree mailing the stepfather the adoptive father. Having failed to obtain the natural father’s consent, the petitioners sought to prove that the natural father’s consent was unnecessary by virtue of ORS 109.324 which provides in pertinent part:

“* * * [I]f the court finds that such parent has wilfully deserted or neglected without just and sufficient cause to provide proper care and maintenance for the child for one year next preceding the filing of the petition for adoption,…