In re Denise H.

—In a private placement adoption proceeding, the biological father appeals from so much of an order of the Surrogate’s Court, Nassau County (Radigan, S.), dated May 28, 1997, as, upon adopting the findings of a Referee, made after a hearing, determined that his consent to the adoption by the child’s stepfather was not required because he had abandoned her.

Ordered that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements.

In this proceeding, the biological mother and her husband *502seek to dispense with the consent of the appellant so that the stepfather may adopt the…