Sugarman v. Burns

- Stanley Gartenstein, J.

The difficult question before this court is whether or not it is compelled to order a stepfather to support three children not his own when their natural father has committed himself to spending protracted time in the workhouse rather than comply with a support order; and where such, action by the court will assuredly precipitate a breakup of the present marriage.

The facts are undisputed. The children in question receive public assistance. The Department of Social Services is the petitioner, the stepfather, the respondent. There is no. dispute that he knew of the…