I sadly found out that in the State of Oklahoma that Grandparent Rights have been abolished!

I lost my daughter July 16, 2008 and now I find out that I not only suffer the loss of her, but her 4 children as well!

In 2006 a bill was passed that ended Grandparent Rights in Oklahoma.

I was naïve enough to believe that if God made you a grandparent, you were a grandparent for life, not so in Oklahoma.

I spoke to two local attorney that fought for Grandparent Rights, and they both informed me that you have to prove that the children could possibly be in danger if you are not a part of their lives to keep it monitored to make sure that the surviving parent does not allow trash in his house that could put the children in danger!

Are you kidding I asked, we have reported to DHS three consecutive times about the children being neglected, abused, and sexually abused.

Not enough, the attorneys replied if DHS did not find anything on the surviving parent you could be considered a nuisance by the Oklahoma Judge.

Wait a minute didn’t I help elect that judge?

The attorney informed me that Grandparent Rights in Oklahoma are as hard and sometimes as costly as Child Custody cases.

I just have to say we have come a long way Oklahoma

You should be proud!

I have a gift and trade that I wanted to pass on to the next generation, but I am told that I may never see my Grandchildren again, not until they can start driving and make their way to our home, but I am sure by then that enough time will pass and they will forget about the Grandparents that went to Wal-Mart in the wee hours for cold medicine, or the Grandparents that were there to pay the utility bills when mom and dad could not pay them, and the many celebrations we celebrated as a family on Birthdays and Holidays.

I will have to answer to these children one day and tell them why we never got to see them again, but what about you Oklahoma what will you say, when the child comes up with another cigarette burn on her arm, or one of the boys tells you that the girlfriend will not stop touching him on his private, the child that cannot eat and is under weight 24lb 4 year-old because her teeth are rotten, the little girl with Lazy Eye that was never taken to a doctor. “Abuse” “Neglect”

What will be your excuse Oklahoma when they had loving Grandparents praying for them every night to keep them from harm’s way!

How will you look these 4 (four) children in their eyes?

God bless Oklahoma

Patricia & Brian Kelley