Although the biological relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is strong and precious, it does not automatically entitle grandparents to custody. However, the law recognizes that grandparents can be appropriate custodians. Primary reasons that can enable them to petition for custody are parents who are missing, dead or lapsed into a persistently vegetative state. If only one parent meets this criteria but the other one has a conviction for a violent offense or felony that poses a threat to the child, then grandparents may seek custody as well. Military personnel on deployment may also grant temporary custody or time sharing to a grandparent under certain conditions.