Joshua D.R. v. David A.M. (Per Curiam Opinion)
Annotate this CaseMother and Father had one child together. Mother and Father later divorced pursuant to an order in which Mother was granted primary custody of the child. Mother and her husband (Stepfather) subsequently filed a verified petition for adoption in which Stepfather sought to adopt the child. After an adoption hearing, the circuit court denied the adoption petition on the grounds that Father was current on his child support payments and had made minimum contact with the child such that the court could not find abandonment. The Supreme Court reversed, holding (1) the circuit court abused its discretion in finding that Respondent had not abandoned the child; and (2) it was in the best interest of the child to be adopted by Stepfather. Remanded for entry of an order granting the petition for adoption.
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