D. v. State ex rel. Children's Services Division

Children’s Services Division (CSD) of the State Department of Human Resources placed S- in petitioners’ home, after a commitment of the child to it from juvenile court, as a foster child when he was two months old. After about one-and-one-half years, petitioners sought to adopt him. CSD opposed the adoption, and the circuit court denied it, but the child was left with petitioners pending appeal. Petitioners in this appeal contend that the adoption would be “fit and proper” (ORS 109.350) and in the child’s best interests; hence, the circuit court erred in denying it.

The natural mother has…