Guardianship of Baby Boy M.

Appellants Paul and Carol Lavallee appeal from a judgment dismissing their petition (1) for the adoption of Baby Boy M.; (2) for appointment as his guardian; (3) for a decree declaring the child free from custody and control of his natural parents; and (4) for forfeiture of the natural parents' right to be appointed guardians of the child.

The subject of these proceedings is a baby boy (hereafter referred to as M.) born out of wedlock to Patricia Jean Maycock. The father of M. is Daniel Warren Dunn. The child was born on August 14, 1974, and the parents subsequently celebrated their marriage on February 8, 1975.

On June 4, 1974, Patricia and her mother met with Mr. Dalton, the Lavallees' attorney, to discuss whether Patricia was inclined to let her unborn child out for adoption. The conference led to a meeting between Patricia and the Lavallees where adoption and the Lavallees' suitability as parents were discussed. Patricia, apparently content, made arrangements for the Lavallees to take the newborn infant home from the hospital. M. lived with the Lavallees from the time of his birth until October 3, 1975, when he was, by order of court, restored to the…