Clifford K. v. Paul S.

DAVIS, Justice:

The appellant herein and petitioner below, Tina B.,1 appeals from an order entered December 2, 2003, by the Circuit Court of Clay County. By the terms of that order, the circuit court denied Tina B.’s petition for custody of the minor child, Z.B.S., who Tina B. had raised from infancy with her now-deceased partner, finding that Tina B. lacked standing to seek an award of custody under W. Va.Code § 48-9-103 (2001) (Repl.Vol. 2004). Additionally, the circuit court granted temporary custody of Z.B.S. to his maternal grandfather, the appellee herein and respom dent below, Paul S.…