W.B.Z. v. D.J.

D.J., the maternal grandmother of B.W.J., a minor, sought custody of B.W.J. The Mobile County Juvenile Court awarded her custody, and W.B.Z., the child’s father, appealed. The Court of Civil Appeals reversed the judgment of the trial court.1 We granted D.J.’s petition for certiorari review, and we affirm the judgment of the Court of Civil Appeals.

B.W.J. was born in 1988 to V.J. and W.B.Z., who never married. From the date of his birth until April 27, 1991, he and his mother, V.J., lived intermittently with D.J. On April 27, 1991, however, V.J. died. Thereafter, but before July 19, 1991,…