Grandparents May Get New Visitation Rights…if the only parent is a felon
April 8th, 2015 by Mike Vasilinda
Grandparents denied visitation with their grandchildren could petition a court for access under unique circumstances. The legislation is the result of lobbying by Yvonne Stewart of Orlando. Her daughter Michelle went missing three and a half years ago, and she is being denied visitation by the children’s father
“Because I’m a grandparent and I didn’t know when Michelle went missing that we didn’t have any rights in the state of Florida, so I want to be able to see my daughters children. I want to make sure that they’re ok. They need to know that we’re here. We have 50 family members….50! on this side and he won’t let me see them, and its wrong. He is the primary and only suspect in her disappearance” said Stewart.
Sponsor Joe Abruzzo says the legislation doesn’t apply to every case.
“The parents are a felon and the other parent is deceased, missing, or in a vegetated state they will have the right so it’s not for every grandparents but if both parents are alive out there and have a family but under specific circumstances that will allow that right.”
Courts have previously ruled parents have the absolute right to determine who can see their children.
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