Opinion ID: 1396908
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the constitutional right of the father

Text: The relationship between parent and child is protected by the federal and state constitutions. In re J.P., Utah, 648 P.2d 1364 (1982). These protections include the father of an illegitimate child. Id. at 1374-75; Stanley v. Illinois, 405 U.S. 645, 92 S.Ct. 1208, 31 L.Ed.2d 551 (1972); Miller v. Miller, 504 F.2d 1067 (9th Cir.1974). Insofar as it suggests otherwise, Thomas v. Children's Aid Society of Ogden, 12 Utah 2d 235, 239, 364 P.2d 1029, 1031-32 (1961), has now been overruled. Also see State in Interest of M, 25 Utah 2d 101, 107, 476 P.2d 1013, 1016-17 (1970) (first recognition of a statutory parent-child relationship in unwed father who acknowledges paternity). Although parental rights have their origin in biological relationships, those relationships do not guarantee the permanency of parental rights. Constitutionally protected parental rights can be lost. They can be surrendered pursuant to statute. U.C.A., 1953, § 78-30-4(1), (2). They can be lost through abandonment of the child by inaction or a course of conduct for which the parent is personally responsible. In re J. Children, Utah, 664 P.2d 1158, 1159 (1983); § 78-30-5. Parental rights can also be terminated through parental unfitness or substantial neglect. E.g., In re Castillo, Utah, 632 P.2d 855 (1981).