Should a Rapist Have Parental Rights to the Child Born of His Crime?

A thirty-something year old man convicted of sexually assaulting a teenaged girl is appealing a Vermont family court’s denial of his parental rights to the baby born of his crime.

The biological father apparently argues that because he didn’t use force on the teenager, he can make a positive contribution to the baby’s life and, therefore, his crime should be overlooked.

The mother of the baby reportedly opposes granting parental rights to the man who sexually assaulted her.

Not surprisingly, this case poses an unlikely and previously unconsidered legal question in Vermont (and most other states). The appeal is expected to be heard before the state’s Supreme Court in the near future.

Read more about the case in this Barre Montpelier Times Argus article.

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