I have a friend whose daughter's father has been in prison for the past several years and no one is sure when he will be released. She is now with someone who would like to adopt her daughter but cannot because of the father's rights. The father has not contacted his daughter in years and will not respond to the mother's letter asking him to give up his parental rights. We live in the state of Nebraska if that effects any of the laws. Please help my friend. When is a child abandonment considered to have taken place if a parent is no longer participating in the parenting of his/her child?