Franklin v. Johnston

¶1 — This case concerns the interplay between foster parenting and the common law de facto parentage doctrine. Jackie Johnston, the biological mother of a newborn, encouraged Mary Franklin, Johnston’s intimate partner, to develop a parent-like relationship with the child. Subsequently, the State initiated a dependency proceeding on the child’s behalf and Franklin became the child’s foster parent. Finding both that the de facto parentage doctrine is applicable in these circumstances and that the five-part test announced by our Supreme Court is met in this case, we affirm the trial court’s…