Guardianship of Z.K. CA5

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

The Temporary Guardianship Established In April 2020, shortly after Z.K.’s birth, Z.K. was placed by the trial court in a temporary guardianship in which Grandfather was appointed as the temporary guardian. Z.K. was removed from the custody of her parents and placed into Grandfather’s custody six days after her birth. In having temporary custody and taking care of Z.K. during said guardianship, Grandfather was helped in such responsibilities by his significant other, Christine Collins, who lived with Grandfather. During the guardianship, Mother was provided opportunities for visitation with Z.K. According to Grandfather, he petitioned to establish the temporary guardianship because he feared for Z.K.’s safety, mainly because of Father’s past criminal record and Mother’s instability. As to Father’s criminal history, Grandfather testified that shortly after he drove Mother to a prenatal visit in early April 2020, he did an internet search on Father and discovered “the appeals case” that described the basis for the molestation conviction against Father, “[a]nd it was extremely disturbing.”3 Although Grandfather had been out of contact with Mother for the…