In re Anonymous

John D. Bennett, S.

In this adoption proceeding the petitioner, the present husband of the natural mother, seeks to adopt the children without the consent of the father, alleging the latter’s abandonment of the children (Domestic Relations Law, § 111).

After the conclusion of the hearing and before any determination, the present motion to reopen the hearing for further proof was made by the petitioner.

In essence, the basis of the motion is the discovery by the petitioner after the hearing of the natural father’s guilt of the crime of possessing a narcotic, specifically marijuana, in *263the State…