Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / Dec 10, 2019
Lori Ross, Appellant, vs. Kyle Scott and Charlotte Scott, Respondent.
Lori Ross, the biological mother of Amanda, sought grandparent visitation rights under section 452.402 RSMo for Amanda's children. The trial court granted summary judgment to Kyle and Charlotte Scott, the children's parents, finding Ross was not a legal grandparent due to Amanda's prior adoption by Carol Wilson, which terminated Ross's parental rights to Amanda. The appellate court affirmed the summary judgment, holding that Ross ceased to be Amanda's legal mother upon Amanda's adoption, thereby precluding Ross's status as a grandparent under the statute.