More grandparents fighting to stay in grandchildren's lives

More grandparents fighting to stay in grandchildren's lives

Amy Crawford can be reached via e-mail or at 724-850-2856.

By Amy Crawford
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 5, 2010

When Carolyn and Dennis Konopka made the three-hour drive to McKean County early last month, they were looking forward to a visit with their granddaughter. They hoped it would not be the last.

The Konopkas, of North Huntingdon, had spent much of the previous year in court, fighting first for visitation — then custody — of Michell Hardy, 23 months.

Michell's mother, Megan Konopka, 21, was murdered in a Bradford hotel in September 2009. Michell had been placed in foster care without the Konopkas' knowledge before her mother's death, and the foster family was trying to adopt her — a move that would terminate their legal relationship with their granddaughter.

"After fighting all this time and maybe losing her, we would almost say, 'Go ahead, raise her, but we want to see her,' " Carolyn said before the Aug. 13 court date that would decide their fate.

While their daughter's murder made their case unusual, the Konopkas are not the only grandparents who have gone to court to protect relationships with their grandchildren.

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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_698096.html