In re Adoption of M.Q.

HERSEY, Chief Judge.

This is a case involving custody of a child born out of wedlock. The proceedings began with a petition for adoption in the trial court; however, that petition was eventually dismissed, leaving as the sole issue whether custody should be granted to the natural mother or the natural father of the child. The trial court awarded custody to the father and the mother appeals.

Section 744.301(1), Florida Statutes (1983), provides that “[t]he mother of a child born out of wedlock is the natural guardian of the child.” In Allen v. Childress, 448 So.2d 1220 (Fla. 4th DCA 1984), this…