ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The mother of a missing woman who has been missing since 2011 was in Tallahassee Wednesday fighting for more custody rights for grandparents.
Yvonne Stewart hasn’t been able to see her grandchildren since shortly after her daughter, Michelle Parker, disappeared in 2011.
It’s the third that she had urged lawmakers to pass such a bill.
“It’s heart wrenching. It’s absolutely agonizing for the grandparents, because they love those children. Those children are a part of their child,” she said.
Stewart hasn’t seen her twin grandchildren in almost four years.
The father of the twins, Dale Smith, got custody of the children and moved out of state.
Smith is the only suspect in Parker’s disappearance, but was never charged.
Stewart is pushing for legislation that would allow grandparents to petition the court for visitation if the biological parents have prior felony convictions or a public record of a history of violence.
“It’s a huge hole, and unless you’re a grandparent or parent, there’s no way you can even fathom the love you have for your child or grandchildren. It’s just, there’s just a hole right there,” Stewert said.
If the bill passes, it would go into effect July 1.
Stewart said she would be in front of a judge July 2 asking to see her grandchildren.
Related Story: Police renew search for evidence in case of missing woman Michelle Parker
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