Opinion ID: 1744006
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: custody given to paternal grandparents

Text: ¶ 31. Alternative to their assertion that parental rights should be terminated, the natural parents argue that custody of A.N.A. should have been given to her paternal grandparents, who have custody of the three other children. The natural parents point out that this Court has found that it is important for siblings be kept together whenever possible. Sparkman v. Sparkman, 441 So.2d 1361, 1362 (Miss. 1983) (The Court shall in all cases attempt insofar as possible, to keep the children together in a family unit. It is well recognized that the love and affection of a brother and sister is important to them and to deprive them of the association ordinarily would not be in their best interest.); see also Carson v. Natchez Children's Home, 580 So.2d 1248 (Miss.1991); Mixon v. Bullard, 217 So.2d 28 (Miss. 1968). While unification of the family unit is a laudable goal, this case does not present the ordinary situation and the overriding concern must always be the best interest of the child. ¶ 32. Upon her release from the hospital, A.N.A. required medical care that her paternal grandparents could not provide. A.N.A. was given to the foster parents, in part, because they are both licensed, registered nurses capable of giving A.N.A. the continuous medical care that she needed at home. Through those trying times, A.N.A. bonded with the foster parents. She has lived in their home for almost seven years. A.N.A. is now 8 and a half years old. Testimony from the expert witness implies that it would do more harm than good for A.N.A. to be removed from this familiar atmosphere. ¶ 33. While there is a legal interest in maintaining relationships between siblings, and even grandparents, there is no indication that will not occur in this case. Testimony at trial revealed that A.N.A.'s foster parents received counseling about the importance of allowing her to visit her natural siblings and grandparents. The foster parents indicated that they realized the long-term psychological advantage that A.N.A. would gain by maintaining her relationship with her extended natural family. There is no evidence that suggests A.N.A. will be unable to foster a genuine relationship with her siblings and grandparents. The record reflects that the best interests of A.N.A. are best served by allowing her to remain in her foster parents' care. This suggestion of error is without merit.