Now married mom wants to force unwed father to relinquish parental rights so new husband can adopt child. Mom and bio dad lived together until child was over 2 years old. He became homeless after breakup and eventually was charged with murder of another homeless man, which he is serving approx. 23, 24 years for his crime in Virginia.

What is your question for us?

So what is your question?

The guiding principle behind laws relating to children is "the best interests of the child". Do you really feel the best interests of the child would not be served by allowing the stop father to adopt? The bio father made his choices. Given his situation he cannot be a father to this child. The mother cannot force the bio father to relinquish his rights, but a court can terminate them.

The step father can file a petition to adopt with the mother's support. It will then be up to a court to determine what is in the best interests of the child. In my opinion an adoption would be.

This one should not be much of a problem, but nothing is for sure. So your hire an attorney, and they file in court, for best interest of the child.