In re R.V.

{¶ 20} I respectfully dissent from the decision of the majority.

{¶ 21} R.C. 3109.11 authorizes the common pleas court to grant a right of reasonable companionship or visitation with a minor child to “the parents and other relatives of the deceased father or mother” of the minor child upon their application. The right may be awarded over the opposition of the child’s surviving parent.

{¶ 22} In the present case, the surviving father’s own parents seek reasonable companionship or visitation with their two grandchildren, which their son denies them. The grandparents argue, and the majority holds,…