Owens v. Griggs

Deen, Chief Judge.

1. "Where a decree has been entered by a superior court of this State ... ordering a parent to support a child and such parent has wantonly and wilfully failed to comply with the order for a period of 12 months or longer, the consent of such parent shall not be required and the consent of the other parent alone shall suffice in any proceedings for adoption relative to such child.” Code § 74-403 (2).

2. In adoption proceedings, as in other cases involving infants, the best interest of the child is always a prime factor to be considered by the court. It has been said that the…