In Re Michael R.

Beverly R. (grandmother) is the paternal grandmother of Michael R. (minor), who was adjudicated a dependent child of the court. The sole issue on appeal is whether the juvenile court erred in denying the grandmother’s request for de facto parent status. We conclude the court did not err, and we affirm.

Facts and Procedural History

Because the issue on appeal is limited, no extensive description of the dependency proceedings is needed.

The minor and his younger siblings were subjects of dependency proceedings, beginning in September of 1995, when the minor was five years old, because the minor’s father physically abused him. Subsequent petitions were filed when the father still had problems with anger management, and continued to discipline the minor inappropriately. The subsequent petitions also included the younger siblings, because they were at risk for similar abuse.

The department of public social services (DPSS) did not recommend placement with the grandmother. The social worker was concerned that the grandmother was in denial about her son’s (the father’s) physically abusive conduct. The social worker was also concerned that, although the grandmother’s home was…