Court Opinion

ID: 9704592
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 00:40:50.898738+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:07:00.085137
License: Public Domain

MATHIAS, Judge,
concurring.
I write only to emphasize the core holding in this case regarding Covington's standing as the putative father. That holding is that as a respondent in these involuntary termination proceedings, Cov-ington clearly has basic constitutional standing to challenge the actions taken by the trial court. While Covington's conduct in failing to attempt to establish paternity throughout these proceedings speaks volumes as to the correctness of the trial court's termination of any parental rights he may have had, it cannot divest him of standing under the statutory termination framework enacted by our General Assembly.