In Re Jones

This is an appeal from an order of the Superior Court affirming the denial by a Central Falls Probate Court of an adoption petition in which a 30-year-old married man, Duncan Clinton Fraser (Duncan), seeks to adopt his 20-year-old “lover,” Karen Mary Jones (Karen). In affirming the denial, the trial justice noted that Duncan was “probably” the father of Karen’s child. Duncan is married to another woman and is the father of two children born of that marriage. At oral argument we were informed that Karen is now married to someone other than Duncan. However, notwithstanding her present marital…