Opinion ID: 2513997
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: There is substantial and competent evidence to support the finding of termination on the grounds of abandonment.

Text: Idaho Code section 16-2005(a) provides that a parent-child relationship may be terminated if the parent has abandoned the child by having willfully failed to maintain a normal relationship including, but not limited to, reasonable support or regular personal contact. There is substantial evidence to show lack of a normal relationship both by the absence of reasonable support and the absence of regular contact. John Doe failed to voluntarily provide any financial support for the minor child since the separation in 1994. In 1997 through 1998 money was garnished from his social security benefits on behalf of the minor child. However, the amount does not constitute reasonable support. John did give Jane five dollars upon her request for support in September 1994. This negligible contribution, however, does not reflect a sincere desire to support the child and is evidence of willfulness. The record shows that he was employed enough to reasonably expect him to contribute to the support of the minor child. Even when he was not employed, he was receiving social security benefits for at least some period and did not voluntarily distribute some of those benefits to the minor child. In addition, John failed to have regular contact with the minor child. He did not have any contact between September 1994 and November 1996. His limited contact with the minor child before the Petition for Termination was filed in January 2000 was (1) a visit arranged by Jane's mother in December 1996, (2) a disputed contact in April 1997 at Jane's work, and (3) a call to the minor child in April 1997 at Easter. It is undisputed that between April 1997 and January 2000, he had no contact with the minor child. There is substantial evidence to support the finding that his contact with the minor child between 1994 and 2000 amounted to little more than an hour total. There is more than enough evidence to support the prima facie one-year requirement and substantial and competent evidence to support the trial court's finding of willful failure to maintain a normal parental relationship.