In re E. J. (T.)

*1129OPINION

ERWIN, Justice.

This is an appeal from a lower court order terminating appellant E.D.T.’s parental rights in his natural son, E.J.(T.).

On January 30, 1970, Ms. E.J., who had been cohabiting with Mr. E.D.T. knowing that they were not married, gave birth to a male child in Juneau, Alaska. The child will hereafter be referred to as E.J.(T.).

In early 1971, when the child was a year old, the parents separated. The natural mother, with the father’s permission, took custody of E.J.(T.). The separation was not permanent, however, for on at least one occasion the parents reunited. After a…