Cecil County Department of Social Services v. Goodyear

Two centuries ago Thomas Gray, in his Elegy, spoke of the “short and simple annals of the poor.” The annals of the appellees, however, are neither short nor simple, a clear indication that times have changed. Indeed, this episode alone has generated a rather plump dossier.

In October 1969 the appellant (Department) asked the Circuit Court for Cecil County to appoint it the legal guardian of Richard Lee Goodyear (Rickie), born 22 April 1966, with the right to consent to his adoption, as provided by Code (1966 Repl. Vol.), Art. 16, § 72. 1 The case came on for trial in January 1970 before…