In re the Adoption of Four Children

INTRODUCTION

This opinion is based upon a sad set of facts - the adoption of four children without proper notice being given to their mother.

The natural father of these four children died in 1973, and after that the childrens' paternal aunt gained physical custody of them. In 1979 the paternal aunt filed a petition to adopt the children in the Chinle District Court. An adoption decree was entered on January 17, 1980 and at the time the four children, Thomas, Jonathan, Elizabeth and Jeffery were 15, 12, 10 and 7 years of age, respectively.

After the adoption petition was filed, home studies were…