In Re Adoption of Eblin

Evans, Judge.

This is an appeal from the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Marion County, Probate Division, granting the petition of Todd E. Eblin (“appellee”) for the adoption of Derick Lee Eblin over the objection of appellant Eric L. Hendricks, Derick’s natural father.

On November 26, 1996, appellee filed his petition to adopt Derick, the five-year-old son of appellee’s wife, Cheryl Eblin. At that time, Derick’s father, Eric (“appellant”), was serving a prison term for his conviction on charges that had arisen out of marital difficulties between Cheryl and Eric. Appellee’s petition,…