In August 2025, our world was turned upside down when our beloved daughter passed away. Since she was six months old, my husband and I have been the primary caregivers for our granddaughter, nurturing her and providing her with love, security, and a stable home environment. She just turned seven and until recently, this was the only home she had ever known. However, in a heart-wrenching upheaval, her biological father removed her from our care the day after our daughter's passing. He has since cut off all visitation rights, leaving us without any means to maintain contact with our precious granddaughter.

We find ourselves in an unbearable situation, stripped of any legal recourse to preserve the bond with our granddaughter, a bond that we have nurtured over many years. This is why we are urging the passage of SB 674, the Grandparents Rights Bill, a crucial piece of legislation that will protect families and ensure that grandparents can apply for custody or visitation rights in situations where the parents are deceased or unfit. This bill recognizes the fundamental role grandparents can play in a child's life, particularly in scenarios where the child has formed a deep emotional bond with their grandparents.

Statistics from the American Academy of Pediatrics show that children growing up in stable environments with strong familial support are less prone to behavioral issues and have better educational outcomes. Conversely, abrupt changes in their guardianship without considering emotional bonds can lead to adverse emotional and psychological effects. The current legal framework in our state provides no protection for grandparents like us and countless others, leading to devastating separations in times of mourning and distress.

Our story is not unique. Many grandparents across the state share similar plights. The Grandparents Rights Bill provides a viable and much-needed pathway for those of us who have been integral in the upbringing of our grandchildren to legally safeguard these cherished relationships.

Please support our cause to keep families whole by signing this petition. Help ensure that SB 674 is passed into law, so no grandparent or grandchild has to endure such preventable heartache. Your signature can bring hope and justice to countless families facing the same unjust fate. Stand with us in this fight for familial rights and the preservation of our grandchildren's stability and happiness. Sign this petition and make a difference.