In re Adoption of Jaelyn B.

Jesse, the legal father of Jaelyn under Ohio statutes, challenged the adoption of Jaelyn in Nebraska. Jesse attempted to intervene to challenge the county court’s authority to exercise jurisdiction of the adoption proceeding, arguing that Nebraska must give full faith and credit to Ohio’s determination of his paternity and that the county court lacked subject matter jurisdiction because he did not consent to Jaelyn’s adoption. The county court did not allow Jesse to intervene and issued an adoption decree, concluding that Nebraska’s adoption statutes did not require Jesse’s consent to the adoption because genetic testing showed that another man was Jaelyn’s father. The Supreme Court reversed, holding (1) the county court erred in failing to give full faith and credit to Ohio’s determination of Jesse’s paternity; and (2) the county court erred in exercising jurisdiction over this adoption petition because Jesse did not consent to the adoption. Remanded with directions for the county court to vacate its decree. View "In re Adoption of Jaelyn B." on Justia Law