In re Hunter H.

KETCHUM, J.:

The Circuit Court of Ohio County has submitted a certified question asking whether a court may order continued visitation to a grandparent when the child is adopted by a non-relative. Our review of this question is controlled by the Grandparent Visitation Act, W.Va.Code § 48-10-101 et seq. [2001]. After thorough review, we conclude that the Grandparent Visitation Act does not provide for continued grandparent visitation after a child is adopted by a non-relative. Accordingly, we answer the certified question in the negative.1

I. Factual & Procedural Background

This matter was…