Missouri Court of Appeals May 6, 1982, 12015, 12396 (Tomlinson v. O'BRIANT)

HOGAN, Judge.

In this adoption case, the petitioners, to whom we shall refer as the plaintiffs, sought to adopt the children of their deceased son Thomas. Separated from his second wife, Thomas and his children were living with the plaintiffs at the time of Thomas’ death on February 13, 1980.