By LYNNE TUOHY
Associated Press
CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Supreme Court says the ex-partner of a 12-year-old’s girl’s mother has made her case to be considered a parent under the law.
The ruling could affect other unwed parents regardless of gender.
The case pitted Madelyn B.’s birth mother, Melissa, against her former partner, Susan. Because it’s a custody case, no last names are used.
The pair split up when Madelyn was 6 but continued to co-parent until 2013 _ when Melissa cut off the relationship and moved to terminate Susan’s guardianship. Melissa also began proceedings to have her new husband adopt Madelyn.
Madelyn was born in 2002 — before the state adopted civil unions and later legalized gay marriage.
The court said parenting extends beyond a biological connection to a person’s conduct regarding the child.
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