[mommyoftwo]

This happened to me 2 years ago. I took my newborn son home from the hospital. The birthdad was not returning calls. My son's birthmother left the hospital and has never been heard from since. I am still hoping to meet her one day. But the father called the day my son left the hospital(he was a preemie). He told the social worker that he might be the father..he might not be. He says if he is the father he will want to parent. My worker told him he would have to get a DNA test done since he wasnt sure. My lawyer had to wait for 4 months before filing TPR. The grounds for both were abadonment. They were the longest four months of my life(at the time) So the 4 months come and go and no one hears from either parent. My lawyer files and the TPR was scheduled. Well..the day comes and the birthfather shows up with his mother. He thought that my son was going to be there and that he was going to be able to take him home. Luckily my agency had documentation of trying to get in touch with him. The judge told him that he had to get a lawyer and pay for the DNA test. The judge told him that he had 10 days to do this. I was devastated..I thought for sure that I was going to lose my son. The 10 days came and went and no one heard from the birthdad. The judge even appointed him a free lawyer. The lawyer couldnt even get in touch with him. So they set an other date...of course this was going on through the holidays, so this made it even longer. But finally the day came for TPR. My son's birthfather didnt show up and TPR was granted. My son was born in April and TPR happened the following January..It was a hard wait, but worth it all. My best advice to you is get a good lawyer and make sure your agency is doing everything they should be doing. I give sooo much credit and thanks to my social worker and lawyer. They did everything by the book and that is why my son is with me today. Good luck and keep us informed.