Adoption of Thomas

The child, who is the subject of this action, was born on May 14, 1989. Nine days later, his unmarried parents signed a form stating that they “voluntarily and unconditionally surrender [ed]” their child to the Berkshire Center for Families and Children, Inc. (agency), for the purpose of allowing the agency to find adoptive parents. See G. L. c. 210, § 2 (1988 ed.). The mother was fourteen years old, an eighth grade student, and was living with her parents, who witnessed her execution of the consent and surrender form. The child’s father was fifteen years old and was a ninth grade student…