Charisma R. v. Kristina S.

Appellant Charisma R. appeals from denial of her petition to establish a parental relationship with a child born to her former partner, Kristina S. [1] We reverse and remand for the trial court to reconsider the petition in light of the California Supreme Court decision Elisa B. v. Superior Court (2005) 37 Cal.4th 108 , 33 Cal.Rptr.3d 46 , 117 P.3d 660 ( Elisa B. ).

Charisma R. and Kristina S. were a lesbian couple who began dating in July 1997, moved in together in August 1998, and registered as domestic partners with the State of California in January 2002. In 2002, Kristina became pregnant by artificial insemination from an anonymous donor, and Amalia Lynne was born in April 2003. Amalia was given a hyphenated last name which was a combination of Charisma and Kristina's last names. In July 2003, Kristina moved out of the home she shared with Charisma, taking Amalia with her. Since then, Kristina has allowed Charisma to see Amalia on only two occasions.

In May 2004, Charisma filed a petition seeking to establish a parental relationship with Amalia. In an accompanying declaration, Charisma averred that she and Kristina decided to have a child together with the…