A father with serious criminal convictions who showed no interest in his daughter has lost parental responsibility for her.

Background of the Case

The father had parental responsibility for the two-year-old girl, referred to as A, because he was her biological father and was named on the birth certificate. The issue arose when the girl’s mother applied to the court to have his parental responsibility removed.

Court’s Considerations

Courts typically hesitate to remove a father’s parental rights when he is listed on the birth certificate. However, in this case, the court considered several important factors:

1. Criminal History: The father had a history of severe criminal behaviour.
2. Lack of Interest: He showed no interest in his daughter’s life and had never provided financial support or participated in her upbringing.
3. Mother’s Distress: The mother experienced significant distress due to the father’s criminal past and feared future complications requiring his consent for decisions regarding A’s education or medical needs.

Court’s Decision

Given these factors, the judge decided that removing the father’s parental responsibility was in the girl’s best interest. This decision allows the mother to make necessary decisions for her daughter without needing the father’s approval, ensuring greater stability and security for both mother and daughter.

Case Reference
Father Who Showed No Interest in His Child Loses Parental Responsibility
Re A [2023] EWHC 3534 (Fam)
Mr Justice Francis
May 2024