Belcher v. Bowling

Melvin Mayfield, Judge.

This is an appeal from a probate court order granting appellees’ petition for adoption of a minor child without consent of the natural father. Appellees are Frances Loraine Bowling, the natural mother of the child, and her second husband, Caleb Philemon Bowling. The appellant is James Belcher, the child’s natural father.

Frances and James Belcher were divorced on December 30, 1983. Under the terms of the divorce decree, custody of their daughter was awarded to the mother and the father was ordered to pay child support in the amount of $23.00 per week. On January 10,…