Joslyn v. Reynolds
Court of Appeals of Ohio
2001 Ohio 1416 (Ohio Ct. App. 2001)
Robert Joslyn (plaintiff) married Michelle Reynolds (defendant) and adopted her three children from a prior relationship; after the couple later divorced, Joslyn was ordered to pay child support and petitioned to vacate the adoption decree based on fraud, claiming Reynolds had married him solely to secure his financial support for her children and that their relationship deteriorated dramatically not long after the adoption, with Reynolds ceasing to care for him and having affairs. Reynolds moved to dismiss for failure to state a claim, and the trial court granted that motion; Joslyn appealed.
Whether the adoption of a minor by a stepparent can be vacated on the basis of fraud that does not involve the consent of the natural parents or the health or identity of the child.