By: Tom Jose
Imagine the state taking your child for no other reason than because you failed to check the right box on a government form. For fathers in Arizona, this nightmare has been reality for decades.
Recently, a mother in Arizona sought to give her child up for adoption. When the biological father stepped forward—eager and ready to care for his child and prove his connection with a DNA test—an obscure legal rule nearly erased his role as dad. The father, despite going to court to prove his paternity, had failed to sign up for a particular government registry. This missing piece created an unusual legal loophole that allowed the court to take away his parental rights.
We couldn’t stand idly by while this injustice unfolded. Our team stepped in by filing a friend of the court brief. Fortunately, Arizona’s highest court made the right decision: fathers who are ready and willing to step in won’t be denied the opportunity because of bureaucratic hoops.
Now, a father’s love and commitment can’t be erased by red tape.
Our work at the Center for the Rights of Abused Children is driven by a single mission: ensuring that every child has the chance to be raised in a safe, loving environment. We believe that every parent who is ready and willing to care for their child should be given the opportunity to do so.
This decision by the Arizona Supreme Court is a clear win for fathers and children. It sends a strong message that our laws should help families grow stronger together, not allow legalese and technicalities to tear them apart.
This ruling is important not just for the father involved, but for all children and parents who might one day face similar challenges. A child flourishes when raised in a nurturing environment, receiving the consistent love, guidance, and support of a dedicated parent. When an archaic legal rule is used to break this bond, and where the parent has done nothing wrong, the rights of both parent and child are violated.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also recognize that there is still much work to be done. We will keep pushing for reforms that place family unity and the best interests of children above all else. Together, we can build a future where every child has the love and stability they deserve.