Gardner v. Baby Edward

Ness, Chief Justice:

This is an appeal from an order issued in an adoption proceeding to compel disclosure of the names of the child’s natural parents. We reverse.

Baby Edward was born in 1984. After consulting with representatives of the Children’s Bureau, both natural parents executed consents to allow Baby Edward to be adopted. 5. C. Code Ann. Section 20-7-1710(a) (1976). Neither natural parent has ever expressed any desire to withdraw consent to adoption.

In December, 1984, the Gardners (respondents) petitioned the family court to adopt Edward. The trial judge sua sponte ordered the…