IN RE LAUREN CATHERINE HIGNUTT MINOR

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STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS In the Matter of LAUREN CATHERINE HIGNUTT, Minor ___________________________________________ MARY JANE RING and AARON RING, UNPUBLISHED October 17, 1997 Petitioners-Appellees, v BRIAN ALLAN LATHROP, a/k/a BRIAN ALLEN LATHROP, No. 200039 Muskegon Probate Court LC No. 96-005901-AD Respondent-Appellant. Before: Markey, P.J., and Neff and Smolenski, JJ. MEMORANDUM. Respondent appeals as of right from the probate court order terminating his alleged parental rights to the minor child under MCL 710.51(6); MSA 27.3178(555.51)(6). We affirm. The probate court did not err in finding that the statutory grounds for termination of parental rights under MCL 710.51(6); MSA 27.3178(555.51)(6) were established by clear and convincing evidence. In re DeBaja, 191 Mich App 281, 291; 477 NW2d 148 (1991). Although respondent and his wife had contact with petitioners and with friends of petitioners during the two or more years prior to the filing of the step-parent adoption petition, he never requested visitation at any of those encounters. Further, respondent did not avail himself of legal help in establishing paternity, visitation or support of the minor child. Further, considering that the child has only known one father for most of her young life, the probate court did not abuse its discretion in terminating respondent’s parental rights. In re Hill, 221 Mich App 683, 696; 564 NW2d 156 (1997). Affirmed. -1 /s/ Jane E. Markey /s/ Janet T. Neff /s/ Michael R. Smolenski -2

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