In Re Adoption of Rich

Petitioners, Peter Rich and Amanda Rich, filed a petition to adopt their seven-year-old grandson, John Peter Rich (hereinafter John Peter). The child’s natural father and petitioner’s son, John Perry Rich (hereinafter John Perry), contested the petition which charged him with unfitness on the grounds of desertion and abandonment. The minor’s natural mother consented to the adoption, and is not a party to the appeal. After extended hearings, the trial court denied the petition on the basis that the alleged grounds for unfitness had not been proved.

Petitioners contend on appeal that the trial…