Case Name: Terrice STEVENS and Yolando Stevens, Appellants, v. Wayne JOHNSON, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1983-02-15
Citations: 427 So. 2d 227
Docket Number: No. 81-1534
Parties: Terrice STEVENS and Yolando Stevens, Appellants, v. Wayne JOHNSON, Appellee.
Judges: Before NESBITT, DANIEL S. PEARSON and FERGUSON, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 427
Pages: 227–228

Head Matter:
Terrice STEVENS and Yolando Stevens, Appellants, v. Wayne JOHNSON, Appellee.
No. 81-1534.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.
Feb. 15, 1983.
Affirmed.
Holland & Smith and William M. Holland, West Palm Beach, for appellants.
Leonard Frishman and Henry M. Cain, Coral Gables, for appellee.
Before NESBITT, DANIEL S. PEARSON and FERGUSON, JJ.

Opinion:
FERGUSON, Judge.
There is competent and substantial evidence in the record to support the trial court's determination that appellee, the natural father of the minor child born out of wedlock, had not abandoned the child after the mother's death, but in fact had contributed to the child's support in a repetitive, customary manner. Section 63.062, Fla.Stat. (1979). Therefore, appellee had standing to contest the petition for adoption of the child filed by appellants, relatives of the deceased mother. On these facts the "best interest of the child" doctrine will not operate to terminate the paramount custody rights of the natural parent. Nelson v. Herndon, 371 So.2d 140 (Fla. 1st DCA 1979).
Affirmed.