Baker, J.
J.S. (Mother) appeals the portion of the trial court’s order mandating that G.S. (Child) be permitted to have contact with other paternal relatives when participating in grandparent visitation with M.S. (Grandmother). Mother argues that there is no statutory authority for a trial court to order a child to have visitation with anyone other than a grandparent in the face of a parent’s objections. We agree, and reverse in part.
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In this case, it is undeniable that Grandmother is a “grandparent” for the purpose of the GVA, that she had standing to seek visitation with Child, and that the trial court acted within its authority in granting her petition to that extent. But it is likewise undeniable that Child’s other paternal relatives are not “grandparents.” The General Assembly has seen fit to carve out a narrow, limited exception to a parent’s right to raise her children for grandparents. There is no such exception for anyone else, including other relatives. Simply put, except for grandparents who qualify under the terms of the GVA, no other individuals can trump a parent’s right to determine who her child does, and does not, associate with. As such, the trial court erred by ordering that Mother permit Child to visit and maintain telephone contact with anyone other than Grandmother.
In reaching this result, we intend to express no opinion about the character of Child’s paternal relatives, or even whether being permitted to maintain contact with them would be in her best interests. Indeed, we encourage Mother to reconsider her position; considering all that Child has lost in her short life, it seems wise to permit her to maintain contact with anyone and everyone who loves and supports her. But while we encourage her to do so, we—and the trial court—are without authority to order her to do so. As such, we reverse the portions of the trial court’s order relating to all individuals other than Grandmother. [Footnote omitted.]
The judgment of the trial court is reversed in part.
Mathias, J., and Pyle, J., concur