Hopper v. Brittain

MILLER, Justice.

This is an adoption case, the facts of which are somewhat complex. John Howard Hopper, appellant, (Hopper) and Mary Alice Brittain, appellee, (Brittain) were at one time married to each other. While married, Hopper and Brittain took into their custody a baby (John-John), seeking to adopt him. Before the adoption became final Hopper and Brittain were divorced and each remarried. Subsequently, both Hopper and Brittain, along with their new spouses, brought separate actions to adopt John-John. Both adoption petitions were denied and the court appointed Brittain the managing…