Ryan v. DeMello

This is an appeal from a decree of the Family Court denying and dismissing the petition of an aunt and uncle seeking the custody and right to visit their four-year-old niece. The respondent is the child’s mother.

Marie and Matthew Ryan are husband and wife. Marie’s brother, Rene Fonseca, who was married to respondent Linda, died on July 30, 1971, merely 3½ months prior to the birth of their daughter, Raynette. About two years later, August 1973, this litigation began when the Ryans filed their petition in the Family Court. The following month Linda married George DeMello.

A hearing on the…