In the Matter of a MINOR CHILD
High Court of American Samoa
Trial Division
JUV No. 43-90
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A legal adoption was deemed not in the child's best interest when her parents were thirty- years-old and the prospective adopting parent is her 64-year-old grandfather, who is a widower and will be almost eighty years old by the time the child reaches majority.
Before REES, Associate Justice, TAUANU'U, Chief Associate Judge, and MATA'UTIA, Associate Judge.
Counsel: For Petitioner, Robert A. Porter
The child lives with her natural parents as well as the prospective adopting parent (her 64-year-old grandfather). The grandfather, who proposes to adopt the child, is a widower who will be almost eighty years of age by the time the child reaches the age of majority. It would not be in the best interest of the child to terminate the legal obligations of her thirty-year-old parents.
The petition for relinquishment is denied.
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