Matter of Christopher W.

BARNES, Justice:

In the winter of 1978, the paternal grandparents of Christopher W. were instrumental in initiating a petition in the District Court of Tulsa County seeking the termination of parental rights of Christopher’s parents. Eventually, the petition was amended from an action to terminate parental rights to one alleging that Christopher was a deprived child under the provisions of 10 O.S.Supp.1979 § 1101(d).

As the cause progressed, the trial court found that a conflict of interest existed between Christopher and his parents and therefore appointed separate counsel to represent…