In Brief
In this child custody review case, a mother sought to overturn the Supreme Court's earlier dismissal of her appeal against the High Court's order awarding permanent custody to the biological father. The Court found new and compelling psychological evidence: after the orders were passed, the child, then eleven, developed significant anxiety and separation anxiety disorder at the prospect of being separated from his mother, who had been his sole caregiver since infancy. The child viewed his stepfather as his paternal figure and his half-brother as a sibling. The Supreme Court held that the child's mental health and stable family environment were paramount. It restored permanent custody to the mother but granted the biological father meaningful visitation rights—virtual interactions twice weekly and in-person weekend visits—to gradually build their relationship without traumatizing the child through abrupt custody change.
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