ORS 109.324: Consent when parent has deserted or neglected child.

(1) If a parent is believed to have willfully deserted the child or neglected without just and sufficient cause to provide proper care and maintenance for the child for one year next preceding the filing of the petition for adoption, and if the parent does not consent in writing to the adoption, the petitioner, in accordance with ORS 109.330, shall serve on the parent a summons and a motion and order to show cause why the adoption of the child should not be ordered without the parent’s consent. (2) Upon hearing or when the parent has failed to file a written answer as required in ORS 109.330 (3), except as provided in ORS 109.330 (8) if the child is an Indian child, if the court finds that the parent has willfully deserted the child or neglected without just and sufficient cause to provide proper care and maintenance for the child for one year next preceding the filing of the petition for adoption, the consent of the parent at the discretion of the court is not required and, if the court determines that the parent’s consent is not required, the court may proceed regardless of the objection of the parent. (3) In determining whether the parent has willfully deserted the child or neglected without just and sufficient cause to provide proper care and maintenance for the child, the court may: (a) Disregard incidental visitations, communications and contributions; and (b) Consider, among other factors the court finds relevant, whether the custodial parent has attempted, without good cause shown, to prevent or to impede contact between the child and the parent whose parental rights would be terminated in an action under this section. (4) This section does not apply when consent is given in loco parentis under ORS 109.325 or 109.327. [1957 c.710 §7 (109.312 to 109.329 enacted in lieu of 109.320); 2003 c.576 §147; 2003 c.579 §1; 2005 c.369 §6; 2021 c.398 §24]