Landaverde v. Howie

The instant case presents one of those tragic instances in which none of the available alternatives provide a satisfactory solution to the problem confronting this court. What must be determined here is whether respondents-appellants Susan and James Howie should retain custody of the child whom they have raised since his birth on July 16,1980, or whether the boy should be returned to his natural mother, petitioner-respondent Christina Landaverde.

On June 10, 1981, Landaverde filed a petition for custody of her infant son, Mauricio (named Nicholas by appellants), pursuant to section 651 of the…