How do you should a reasonable degree of interest if your baby has already been adopted.?

Question

The law in the state I'm petitioning in says a natural father has 30 days from the child's birth to show a reasonable degree of interest in the child if he wants parental rights, but I only just found out about 4 days ago I had a child, 2 weeks after he was born and he has already been shipped off to another state. My attorney is writing letters to LDS and the ICPC offices notifying them that I did not and will not consent to this adoption. I'm filing a paternity petition, but I don't think it'll be in by the 30 days. How else do I show a reasonable degree of interest?

Answer 1

You are not alone!!!

LDS is the worst agency with regards to the rights of fathers.  There are several fathers fighting LDS right now.  See the WEB sites below for other cases.  I think that the only way to stop these outrageous practices by LDS is a class action suit that will bankrupt their business.

See these WEB sites for fathers fighting LDS:

http://www.babyselling.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBzNqEkCF...

http://legallykidnapped.blogspot.com/200...

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,514...

Besides working with your lawyer, make a room in your house for your baby.  Take photos and send them to your local news station and post them on a WEB page.  Line up day care and family support.  Make sure your finances are in order.  Scream, yell, shout about your child's rights to be with his/her daddy.

Edited to add - Unless your rights were legally terminated, chances are that there has NOT been a legal adoption.  If that is the case, the courts will likely order that your child must be returned to you.  I also recommend that you contact:

http://www.cubirthparents.org/

They have experience fighting these cases of baby selling.

Answer 2

I'm assuming that since you're writing LDS, the baby has been shipped off to Utah.  This unfortunately is not good news.  It's good that you have a lawyer, but the laws in Utah are totally against the father's rights.   This is why women go there to relinquish there babies, so the fathers can't interfere.  There have been prior cases where the father's rights were circumvented and the adopting parents refused to give the baby back...one case I know of, the father is still fighting in court for his son.

If I were you, I would ask your lawyer what else you can do.  Can you fly there and go to the agency?  I recommend you be as aggressive as possible to get your child back.  Often it happens that once the baby is in the adopting parents arms, there is nothing you can do to get your child back, because the courts usually decide that it would be too traumatic to take the baby away from the family it has bonded with.  

I wish you the very best, don't give up, this is your flesh and blood.

Answer 3

Oh dear Lord what is going on with this LDS Services......I am hearing so many terrible things about these agencies.

I am so sorry to hear this. But writing letters is not going to help. You need action. Your going to have to file a emergency order for custody...called an ex parte order.

Answer 4

I say you've done all you can to show a reasonable degree of interest. I don't think the adoption would have been finalized this soon, so just wait it out and follow your attorney's instructions to the letter. Good luck!

Answer 5

Everything Grapesgum says.  Plus, why not marry the mother and join forces?

Answer 6

You show interest by the fact that you have contacted an attorney and have taken the steps you have so far! You show interest by this Question here--print it and take it with you...

I would also find out if your state has a registery and put your name on it....and then tomorrow start calling the World and don't stop talking...

Send a Certified letter Tomorrow to the LDS and ICPC office letting them know YOU ARE SHOWING INTEREST and that they should be hearing from your attorney soon... I wouldn't say anything else--just that you are showing interest...let your lawyer deal with the legal words....

If you know the State--I would also look for the father's registery there.... You could Publish and classified ad in the newspaper in that state Saying "I am Showing Interest...."