If the other parent is convicted of a serious crime, can I file to terminate his/her parental rights?
You can file a petition to terminate the parental rights of the other parent if the parent has been convicted of:
- one of the following crimes against you that led to the conception of your child:
- aggravated rape;
- rape;
- rape of a child;1 or
- one of the following crimes against any child, including a crime in another state that is substantially similar to any crime on this list:
- aggravated child abuse and aggravated child neglect or endangerment;
- aggravated rape of a child;
- aggravated rape against a child;
- aggravated sexual battery against a child;
- aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor;
- especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor;
- incest against a child;
- promoting prostitution of a child;
- rape against a child;
- rape of a child;
- sexual battery by an authority figure towards a child;
- statutory rape by an authority figure; or
- trafficking for a commercial sex act towards a child;2 or
- one of the following crimes against you:
- attempted first degree murder; or
- attempted second degree murder.3
1 TN ST § 36-1-113(b)(2)(A)
2 TN ST § 36-1-113(b)(2)(B), (g)(11)(A)(ii)
3 TN ST § 36-1-113(b)(2)(C)