Custody

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; or
  • rape of a child;¹
• 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

Note: A parent’s disability cannot be considered a reason to terminate parental rights unless the disability affects the parent’s ability to care for the child’s physical or mental well-being. A parent’s economic disadvantage by itself also cannot be the basis to terminate parental rights.⁴  

¹ Tenn. Code § 36-1-113(b)(2)(A)
² Tenn. Code § 36-1-113(b)(2)(B), (g)(11)(A)(ii)
³ Tenn. Code § 36-1-113(b)(2)(C)
⁴ Tenn. Code § 36-1-113(r)