Kathryn S. v. Vincenzo C.

Vincenzo C. and Molly V. are the teenage biological parents of A.S. After the baby’s birth in New York, Molly arranged for her adoption by Kathryn S., who resides in California. Vincenzo appeals from an order terminating his parental rights, contending he should have been recognized as a presumed father with the right to block the adoption. He claims the trial court erred in failing to give full faith and credit to a New York paternity judgment, in finding he did not achieve presumed father status on the basis of his conduct during Molly’s pregnancy and after A.S.’s birth, and in finding adoption and termination of appellant’s parental rights to be in A.S.’s best interests. We affirm.

STATEMENT OF THE CASE AND FACTS

Appellant and Molly met in 2010, in a high school class. On September 3, 2010, while Molly was staying at appellant’s house for a few days due to problems she was having with her mother, Molly and appellant had sexual intercourse and Molly became pregnant. Molly testified that this was the only time she had ever had sexual intercourse with anyone.

Around the middle of September, when a pregnancy test came back positive, Molly immediately told appellant via…