In re the Adoption of Anonymous

OPINION OF THE COURT

Frank D. Paulo, S.

The petitioner has applied to the court for an order permitting him to adopt the son of his wife by her former marriage.

The father of the child was represented by counsel but *230counsel informed the court on the record that his client had told him he would not appear at the hearing, and the court, therefore, declared that he was in default. The hearing proceeded in his absence and in the absence of counsel and was tried as a default.

The testimony as to the abandonment by the father was given by the mother of the infant. There is no doubt on this record, that…