Bright
San Diego County Department of Social Services v. Bright
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Nares, J.
William McKenley Bright (Bright), natural father of five-year-old Sabrina H. (Sabrina), appeals from a judgment entered under Civil *705 Code section 7017, subdivision (d), 1 terminating his parental rights and freeing Sabrina for adoption without his consent.
In June 1987 Latina H. (Latina), Sabrina’s unwed mother, relinquished three-year-old Sabrina for adoption. Bright claimed parental rights. After a trial on the petition brought by the San Diego County Department of Social Services (DSS), the court found (1) Bright is Sabrina’s biological father but not a presumed father under section 7004 and (2) adoption is in Sabrina’s best interests.
Because we agree Bright is not a presumed father, we conclude the court correctly determined his consent is not required for Sabrina’s adoption. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment.
Facts and Procedure
On March 23, 1984, Sabrina was born to 16-year-old Latina in Oceanside, California. Bright, the natural father, visited the hospital the day after birth and has never denied paternity. Latina and Bright neither cohabitated nor married. Bright neither supported Sabrina nor was he ever involved in her life.