In re Matthews

Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Miller seek to adopt a three year old infant, Allen Eugene Matthews. A former decree of the Chancellor sustaining a motion to dismiss the adoption petition was reversed by this Court and the cause remanded for further appropriate proceedings. That opinion is reported in 203 Tenn. 161, 310 S.W.2d 185.

Upon the remand, the Tennessee Department of Public Welfare filed its answer. It therein averred that the Juvenile Court of Knox County had adjudged this child “dependent” within the meaning of Section 37-242, T.C.A. 1958 Code Supplement, and had committed its custody to the…