77 Wash. 313 | Wash. | 1914
On the 23d day of June, 1906, one Joseph W. Spangler, by an instrument in writing, relinquished his right and claim to the custody and services of his two minor daughters, then of the ages of six years and five years respectively, to the Washington Children’s Home Society, a domestic corporation, and authorized it to secure their legal adoption. A short time thereafter, upon petition and with the consent of the society, orders were entered in the superior
The appellant assails, (1) the validity of the adoption proceedings; (3) that part of the decree in the divorce case confirming the surrender made by the father; and (3) the several findings of the court. As we view the case, the first two questions need not be considered.
The appellant and Joseph W. Spangler, the mother and father of the children, separated in April, 1906. In January, 1908, they were divorced at his suit. In June, 1906, he, by an instrument in writing, surrendered the children to the Children’s Home Society. Shortly thereafter, they were placed, and have since remained, in the custody of the respondents, in obedience to the adoption proceedings. So far as the record discloses, the appellant has not seen the children since June, 1906.
In this, as in all other cases of the kind, the dominant question is the moral, intellectual, and material welfare of the .children. The wishes of the parent are subordinated to these considerations which, by all the courts, are deemed paramount. State ex rel. Collier v. Bell, 58 Wash. 575, 109 Pac.
The character of the evidence is such that a discussion of it would serve no useful purpose. It suffices to say that, after reading it carefully, we are convinced that the judgment entered is promotive of the welfare of the children. The judgment is therefore affirmed.