In re Adoption of Sloop

VAUGHN, Judge.

We note at the outset that adoptions are permitted only upon the statutory procedures set out in Chapter 48 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. Adoption is by a special proceeding before the Clerk of Superior Court. G.S. 48-12; In re Custody of Simpson, 262 N.C. 206, 136 S.E. 2d 647 (1964). If the order of the trial judge “that the child be placed with Petitioners for the purpose of adoption and that the Petitioners be granted adoption by the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services” were allowed to stand, most of the express statutory provisions and legislative…