What Makes A Parent Unfit In Oregon? 

Children need their parents to care for their necessities and provide them with food, shelter and clothing. Parents are also responsible for emotional support and guidance in the life of their children. When parents are not together and seek custody of their child, they each have equal priority to be the custodial parent. However, if Oregon law determines a parent is unfit, they may be deemed unfit to have custody of their child.

The unfitness of a parent may occur before or after a court determines the child custody arrangement. The standard for child custody is what is in the best interest of the child. An unfit parent does not meet the standard. Oregon law list factors to determine if a parent is unfit, such as abusive, cruel or sexual conduct toward any child; addiction or habitual use of narcotics, alcohol or controlled substances; physical neglect of the child; or mental health condition that renders parent incapable of proper care to the child. A parent unfit for custody may still be able to have parenting time with their child even if it is supervised for safety reasons.