“…the interest of a parent in the companionship, care, custody, and management of his children is a compelling one, ranked among the most basic of civil rights.”¹

Sadly, Anthony Lingle has been deprived this very right. His daughter, Hailey was given up for adoption at birth without his consent. Anthony, has been fighting for her even before her birth. After years of battling the prospective adoptive parents  in Placer County, California court to no avail, he appealed his case to California’s 3rd District Court of Appeals and on April 26, 2012, the High Court ruled in his favor by issuing a blistering opinion informing Placer County of their errors and remanded the case back to the lower court with orders for custody and visitation.

Anthony’s parental rights were reinstated with this appellate decision, essentially pulling the plug on Hailey’s adoption. Hailey’s failed adoption made case law².

Unfortunately, this victory was short-lived. On April 30, 2012, the failed-adoptive parent filed a new case in Probate Court for Guardianship of Hailey. If successful, Anthony’s parental rights will be suspended and would open the door for the failed-adoptive parent to petition to adopt Hailey after two years (according to California Probate Code), effectively eliminating Anthony from Hailey’s life.

As the one year anniversary of the Appellate Court’s historic decision fast approaches, Anthony finds himself headed for yet another trial. In the meantime, visitation has been reinstated (albeit four months after the Appellate Court instructed Placer County court to do so) and the bond between Hailey and Anthony is stronger than ever.

Join me, and other Bring Hailey Home (BHH) supporters, as we rally together to support this loving father in his fight to return Hailey where she belongs, with her willing and capable biological father.

¹In re James R. (2007) 153 Cal. App.4th 413, 428 (James R.).
² See Adoption of H.R., 205 Cal. App. 4th 455 (Cal. App. 3d Dist. 2012).