Commonwealth Ex Rel. Bulson v. Bulson

It is true that a stepfather who lives with his wife and her natural child may assume the relationship to the child of in loco parentis. Spells v. Spells, 250 Pa.Super. 168, 378 A.2d 879 (1971). “The status of ‘in loco parentis’ embodies two ideas: first, the assumption of a parental status, and, second, the discharge of parental duties.” Com. ex. rel. Morgan v. Smith, 429 Pa. 561, 565, 241 A.2d 531, 533 (1968). The existence of such a relationship is largely dependent upon the intention of the person assuming the parental status. Com. ex rel. Morgan v. Smith, 209 Pa.Super. 364, 367, 228 A.2d…