Chapman v. Chapman

OPINION

By the Court,

Mowbray, C. J.:

Sheree Smith Chapman appeals from the judgment of the district court terminating her parental rights in her daughter. Because we consider the record before us insufficient to support the findings made below, we reverse.

Michelle Chapman was born to appellant and her now deceased husband, Phillip Chapman, in 1971. The parents separated in June, 1976, and Sheree kept the child for about a month. The father then took Michelle (according to appellant’s testimony, on the pretext of a visit), and refused to permit Sheree to resume custody of the child. Around…