Tennessee Court of Appeals: No "diligent inquiry" then all proceedings to terminate rights of unknown parent are void

The Court of Appeals of Tennessee, at Nashville, reversed and remanded the trial court’s order terminating the Appellant/Unknown Father’s parental rights through service by publication. The appeals court held that the trial court erred in granting a protective order that prohibited the Appellant’s attorney from gathering pertinent information to determine his whereabouts and/or identity. The appeals court also held that Appellee/The Adoption Place, Inc. did not make a “diligent inquiry” of the birth mother to ascertain the identity of appellant before serving appellant by publication. Thus the court determined since the requirements of service were not met, all proceedings held were void.

Link to full opinion