When a couple divorces, there are typically two contentious issues -- child custody and the division of property. But what if a couple was never married? And what if a biological father was attempting to get custody before the child was born? And what if the biological mother took the child to another state for an adoption?
That is the reported story for one Colorado father who has been fighting for child custody of his daughter for four years. The 4-year-old's biological mother apparently violated a Colorado court order and took the girl to Utah and put her up for adoption by another family member. It took years of fighting for the Utah courts to declare the adoption illegal and toss the case back to Colorado.
So where does the case stand now?
According to news sources, a Colorado judge ordered that both biological parents should have visitation rights with the 4-year-old. These visits reportedly should be supervised. Another ruling is expected later this summer that will determine whether the biological father will have some sort of custody arrangement that is either shared, or not shared, with the so-called adoptive parents in Utah.
At this point, the adoptive parents in Utah are the only ones the little girl knows. A psychologist, supposedly the same one who helped reintroduce kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart to her family, is helping the biological father get to know his little girl.
The first visit between daughter and father apparently went well. They supposedly played daddy-daughter games.
When child custody issues become contentious, a qualified legal professional can help protect your parenting rights. In this case, it has taken some time but perhaps there is a happy ending in sight.
Source: Fox31, "Colorado dad battling for custody of illegally adopted daughter," Jon Bowman, May 29, 2012
Tags: adoption, child custody, custody dispute, unmarried parents
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