Opinion ID: 1645337
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Is Joseph LaCaria In Loco Parentis?

Text: On this appeal we do not have a transcript of the testimony. In lieu thereof, there has been submitted a statement  of facts which was settled by the trial court. Notice of the proposed settlement of the facts was given to the appellant, who apparently made no objection. In view of the foregoing, we deem the trial judge's settled statement of facts to be accurate. This statement of facts asserts that Charlotte and Joseph LaCaria, together with the children who are the plaintiffs in this action, lived together as a family unit. It further states that such children were not emancipated. The only disagreement with the statement of facts is to be found in Mrs. LaCaria's affidavit, which states that she never considered Joseph LaCaria to be in loco parentis to her two children. The affidavit also asserts that the two children were always represented as children of her prior marriage and that they used the surname of her previous husband. A person stands in loco parentis to a minor child if he has assumed the status and obligation of a parent without a formal adoption. Whether or not this relationship exists is a matter of intent to be deduced from the facts of a particular case. In determining whether a person stands in loco parentis, factual considerations may include the children's ages, their dependence upon the person claimed to be in loco parentis, and whether such person in fact supports the children and exercises the duties and obligations of a natural parent. The declaration that Joseph LaCaria, his wife, and the two minor children lived together as a family unit might well raise an inference that Joseph LaCaria stood in loco parentis to the two Ponce children. However, the affidavit of Mrs. LaCaria challenging such inference was filed subsequent to the trial court's settlement of the facts, and therefore we deem it best to return this case to the trial court for a factual resolution of the in loco parentis issue. The determination of the in loco parentis question involves matters of fact and intention which the trial  court in its discretion should resolve after affording the parties an opportunity to offer additional evidence. By the Court. Judgment reversed, and cause remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.