Dear State Representative,

I am writing to you today not only as a concerned Hoosier constituent but as a grandparent facing a heartbreaking pattern of family instability. I urgently request your consideration in sponsoring a bill that would grant Indiana grandparents the legal right to seek visitation or custody when a parent's recurrent, unmanaged mental health instability demonstrably harms or disrupts the child’s well-being.

I currently hold a petition with over 2,000 signatures from concerned citizens across Indiana who agree that our current laws fail to adequately protect children in these volatile situations. This level of support demonstrates a clear public need for legislative action.

My own experience highlights this critical gap. My young grandchildren, Julia (age 3) and Skylar (age 2), have lived on and off in my stable home throughout their short lives. However, due to their mother’s severe and recurrent mental health episodes, they have been subjected to sudden and destabilizing removals from my care four times in the past two years.

While I have endless love and hope for my daughter, the cyclical nature of her illness—including periods of profound decline and transient living situations—creates an environment of chronic unpredictability for the children. When a parent’s severe mental health condition remains unmanaged, leading to demonstrable periods of instability, the children are the most vulnerable victims.

The Current Injustice and Proposed Solution

Current Indiana law makes it exceedingly difficult for grandparents to obtain rights, even when the children are repeatedly removed from a secure, stable home and placed into chaos.

Now that I get to see my grand children, althoughonly time will tell when their mom will do it again. I am fighting for all of whom need to see their grandchildren thrive with out worries or fears in their life. 

My proposal seeks to amend the law to establish a pathway where, in the absence of abuse or neglect by the grandparent, and where the parent’s documented and unmanaged mental instability creates recurrent, demonstrable risk or instability, the court can consider the long-term, stable bond the grandparent offers. This is not about undermining parental authority; it is about providing the necessary safety net to ensure the best interest of the child when the parent is unable to consistently provide a safe and predictable environment.

I believe it is an injustice that loving, capable grandparents are forced to stand by while their grandchildren are put through cycles of emotional upheaval. I am pleading with you to sponsor this critical legislation to give the children of Indiana the stability they deserve.

I am prepared to provide all necessary documentation and would be honored to meet with you and your staff to discuss the policy details and legal framework for this bill.

Thank you for your time and commitment to protecting Indiana’s children.

Sincerely,

Lynette Matthews