This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Appellee was three years old when her mother died, and her father gave her to the Hodges. There was no testimony directly that there was an agreement to adopt the child. When the girl was nine, she was told that she was adopted and not their natural child. Other evidence indicated that she lived with the Hodges until she married at age 17, was called a Hodge, and accepted treatment as a daughter. Mr. Hodge signed her report cards in school and she paid his funeral expenses and attended his funeral. The trial judge ruled that a virtual adoption had occurred. This appeal resulted.

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