Matter of Dinsmore

ERWIN, Judge.

G.S. § 7A-288, “Termination of parental rights,” provided in pertinent part at the time controlling on this appeal:

“In cases where the court has adjudicated a child to be neglected or dependent, the court shall have authority to enter an order which terminates the parental rights with respect to such child if the court finds any one of the following:(1) That the parent has abandoned the child for six consecutive months prior to the special hearing in which termination of parental rights is considered or that a child is an abandoned child as defined by chapter 48 of the General…