In the Interest of W. L. H.

Melton, Justice.

In this case, we granted an application for certiorari from the Court of Appeals’ decision in In the Interest of W. L. H., 314 Ga. App. 185 (723 SE2d 478) (2012) to determine whether a child in a deprivation action has standing to appeal when the child is represented by counsel and the child’s guardian ad litem chooses not to appeal. Because the guardian ad litem is the legal protector of a child’s best interests in deprivation proceedings, we find that a child lacks standing to appeal a deprivation ruling except through a guardian ad litem.

As set forth by the Court of…