In Re Adoption

This is an appeal on questions of law from a judgment by the Probate Court denying appellants’ petition to adopt Jean Kaye Baker. Petitioners are a Caucasian husband and his Japanese wife. The child was born out of wedlock and is the offspring of a mother of English descent and a Puerto Rican father.

Shortly after its birth on March 24, 1960, upon application of its mother, the infant was surrendered to Children’s Services, a certified social agency, for permanent guardianship. Difficulty was encountered by the agency in placing the child in a foster home because of her mixed nationality…