Parental Rights Removal

[iicummins]

What is the name of your state? Mississippi
I want to know, what, exactly, are the laws of Mississippi in removing parental rights? The father of the child did not know the child for the first 4 1/2 yrs. of life (a problem which was beyond his control). Paternity has been established, he is the father. After the 4 1/2 yrs., he saw the child for a year, but the mother has made it very difficult. The paternal family has supported this child for the first 5 yrs. of his life and the father is now paying child support. He is now seeking visitation alone. The child is VERY bonded to the paternal family and we have paid his support for his entire life and the paternal family won the rights to visitation with the child in court. We, as the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins of the paternal family have all the visitation rights to the child because of the extreme bond we have formed with this child. The judge realized what a tremedous effect we have had on this child's life and ruled in our favor.

The mother is now going back to court to remove parental rights. I know this "removes" the paternal family completely. The paternal family does not want to be removed from this child's life. Can this happen if the paternal family has had a HUGE influence on the child and we are there to protest this and the father is there to protest this. I know the judge can do what he wants to do, but, I want to know what is the likelihood of this happening?

 

[tater_tot]

Mississippi State Law says,

§ 93-15-107. Proceedings to terminate parental rights; parties; initiation of proceedings; payment of costs.

(1) In an action to terminate parental rights, the mother of the child, the legal father of the child, and the putative father of the child, when known, shall be parties defendant. A guardian ad litem shall be appointed to protect the interest of the child in the termination of parental rights. A child may be made party plaintiff, and any agency holding custody of a minor shall act as party plaintiff.

(2) The Department of Human Services shall initiate proceedings to terminate parental rights in accordance with Section 93-15-101 et seq. in cases where a child has been placed in the physical custody of a relative and the department has been given legal custody of the child. The department may provide necessary funds to defray the costs and attorney fees for any adoption proceedings brought by the relative of such child in cases where the relative is unable to pay such costs and fees based on criteria established by the department in compliance with federal law and the availability of funds to the department to pay such costs and fees.

And if you need to know any other laws pertaining to termination of rights in Mississippi then follow this link

http://198.187.128.12/mississippi/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fs-main.htm&2.0

I hope this helps. Good luck!