In re the Adoption of Paden

McGarey, S.

Petitioners seek approval of their adoption, of a child now past three years of age, over the opposition of the infant’s mother, who at no time has executed any consent or adoption agreement.

*1026The petitioners, who are the mother’s sister and her husband, have had sole and exclusive custody of the infant since twelve days after his birth, when, at the mother’s request, they took him from the hospital where he was born and brought him to their home, where they have reared him as their own child.

Although the examination of the petitioners upon the hearing has convinced the court that…