In re the Adoption of Ashley

OPINION OF THE COURT

Alfred J. Weiner, S.

This is an adoption proceeding where the petitioners, the biological mother and her husband, seek to dispense with the consent of the respondent putative father.

The biological mother and the putative father had known each other in Haiti. After a period of time, they continued to see each other in the United States. In 1983, the mother moved into the respondent’s mother’s home in Queens County where the respondent also resided. During this period of time, she became pregnant with the child, Ashley.

In December 1983 she relocated to West Street, Spring…