State ex rel. Shroeder

ARMSTRONG, Judge.

Guy Dussouy, the step-father of the minor child herein, is appealing the trial court’s denial of his petition for adoption.

The record reflects that John Shroeder and the now Mary Dussouy were married in July 1973, legally separated in June 1978 and divorced in December 1979. The minor herein was born on September 25, 1975 of that marriage. The June 1978 judgment of separation provided for Shroeder to pay twenty-five dollars per week child support and to have reasonable visitation with the child.

Shroeder complied with the support order for several weeks following its issuance…