Court Opinion

ID: 9567519
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:54:53.552721+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:00:39.136967
License: Public Domain

Roe, A.C.J.
(dissenting)—I must dissent since I find no fraud upon this mature mother of two children. I am unable to determine from the record whether the first child was born as issue of petitioner's first marriage. The testimony reflects she discussed with a social worker giving up this first child, but declined to do so. She kept her older child and, not uncommonly, found that it was better to relinquish her second one. She had 9 months to reach this decision. There is no showing of uncertainty, or misadvice. The trial court found she was "engulfed" by the agency and assumed because it had treated her kindly in all respects and accepted her, this created an atmosphere of repayment without option. Having kept her older child, she could not contend she did not know she could keep her younger one. She simply changed her mind. That is not fraud.
The unfortunate aspect is the uncertainty and effect on other relinquishments where good people have helped a woman in need and tried to provide for the unfortunate child.
Reconsideration denied March 12, 1982.