Court Opinion

ID: 9589029
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:41:08.352177+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:29:07.426646
License: Public Domain

Benton, J.,
dissenting.
I believe that the trial court was correct in its determination that the entrustment agreement was invalid. The goal of the entrustment agreement was to place the child in an adoptive home; however, the mother’s execution of the entrustment agreement was premised upon the understanding, fostered by the Department, that she would not have to divulge the identity of the child’s father, which is known only to her. Our statutes will not permit the termination of the parental rights of a father if his identity and location are reasonably ascertainable, without notice to him by registered or certified mail to his last known address. Code § 63.1-204(D). Inasmuch as the Department made a commitment to the mother which is incompatible with the statutory means for accomplishing the child’s adoption, the court was obligated to rule the agreement invalid when the mother refused to divulge the identity of the father.
I believe that the majority opinion’s solution to the dilemma posed by this case is faulty for several reasons. Unlike the statute construed in Lutheran Social Services v. Doe, 172 N.J. Super. *48343, 411 A.2d 1183 (1979), Code § 63.1-204(D) does not provide for constructive notice by order of publication. Code § 8.01-316(2), our publication statute, does not permit service by publication against a father who is a resident of the Commonwealth and whose identity and address are known or reasonably ascertainable. Furthermore, because notice by publication is constructive only, the statutes must be strictly construed. Steinman v. Jessee, 108 Va. 567, 572, 62 S.E. 275, 278 (1908). The important interests of both the child and the father in having the father make a decision regarding his child’s future and his relationship with his child, require notice which, under the circumstances, will comport with due process. At a minimum the father, who is apparently unaware, that his child exists, is entitled to the process that he is due under Code § 63.1-204(D). The notice that would be given by an order of publication is an inadequate substitute for the notice by mail which Code § 63.1-204(D) requires. See Robinson v. Hanrahan, 409 U.S. 38 (1972).
The Supreme Court has recognized that under certain circumstances a father of an illegitimate child is entitled to substantial protection under the Due Process clause:
When an unwed father demonstrates a full commitment to the responsibilities of parenthood by “com[ing] forward to participate in the rearing of his child,” his interest in personal contact with his child acquires substantial protection under the Due Process Clause. At that point it may be said that he “act[s] as a father toward his children.” But the mere existence of a biological link does not merit equivalent constitutional protection. The actions of judges neither create nor sever genetic bonds. “[T]he importance of the familial relationship, to the individuals involved and to the society, stems from the emotional attachments that derive from the intimacy of daily association, and from the role it plays in ‘promoting] a way of life’ through the instruction of children. . . as well as from the fact of blood relationship.” The significance of the biological connection is that it offers the natural father an opportunity that no other male possesses to develop a relationship with his offspring. If he grasps that opportunity and accepts some measure of responsibility for the child’s future,, he may enjoy the blessings of the parent-child relationship and make uniquely valuable contributions *49to the child’s development. If he fails to do so, the Federal Constitution will not automatically compel a State to listen to his opinion of where the child’s best interests lie.
Lehr v. Robertson, 463 U.S. 248, 261-62 (1983) (citations omitted).
I believe that this child’s father, who has not had the opportunity to demonstrate whether he desires to provide care, custody and love to his child, because the very fact of the child’s existence has not been communicated to him, is entitled to those substantial protections before the Commonwealth severs his interests and status with respect to his child. Furthermore, I believe that the child is entitled to have the father notified in the manner provided by statute before the child’s status with respect the father is terminated by the Commonwealth.
In order to meet constitutional standards and to accord finality to decisions notice must be reasonably calculated under all the circumstances to inform the father of the pending action and to afford him an opportunity to be heard. Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306, 314-15 (1950).
[W]hen notice is a person’s due, process which is a mere gesture is not due process. The means employed must be such as one desirous of actually informing the absentee might reasonably adopt to accomplish it.
Id. at 315. Publication is inadequate in this case, precisely for the reason that it is not calculated to reach the father who is entitled to better notice.
Finally, while I recognize that this case presents a difficult situation for the mother, for the potential adoptive parents with whom the newborn child was placed, and for this court, there is nothing in this record which suggests that the mother will not be an appropriate parent for the child should she continue to be unwilling to divulge the identity of the father in order to facilitate what may ultimately be in the child’s best interest. The mother has requested this Court to hold that the identity of the father is not reasonably ascertainable, or, in the alternative, to affirm the judgment of the circuit court. I would affirm the judgment.