Rickey Smiley is fighting for the right to see his granddaughter Storm, a surviving child of his late son, Brandon Smiley, who may have succumbed to his past addiction.
In an Instagram Live that aired on April 11, it was revealed that Smiley, whose real name is Broderick Dornell Smiley of Alabama, has filed for grandparents’ rights in his home state.
The comedian wants to be reunited with his 3-year-old granddaughter, who has been blocked from seeing him for two months, long after his son, the child’s father, died.
Brandon was once an aspiring comedian, like father like son.
Brandon, however, struggled with an opiod addiction, died in January 2023. Rickey Smiley has said that Storm has helped him deal with the grief of losing his son.
Rickey Smiley has also talked about Storm on his radio show. He has said that she is a “happy child” and that she loves to make people laugh.
Rickey Smiley is obviously a loving grandfather. He is grateful for Storm and the joy she brings to his life.
The radio host also tried to invite the mother of Storm to an Easter celebration, but he did not receive a response despite him attempting to gift Storm a toy Jeep.
Alabama courts recognize that grandparents can play an important role in their grandchildren’s lives and may allow them to seek visitation or custody under certain circumstances.
To seek visitation or custody, grandparents must file a petition with the court and demonstrate that they have a significant and ongoing relationship with their grandchild and that denial of visitation or custody would be detrimental to the child’s well-being. The court will consider factors such as the age of the child, the nature of the relationship between the grandparent and the child, and the wishes and objections of the parents.
In addition to seeking visitation or custody, grandparents in Alabama may also be able to seek guardianship of their grandchildren if the child’s parents are unable or unwilling to care for them. Guardianship gives the grandparent the legal authority to make decisions regarding the child’s education, health care, and other important matters.
“You’re hurting her, you’re hurting her. The best thing ever happen to me was having my grandparents around and just having wonderful grandparents,” said Smiley said.
See!! I been co parenting for 37 years. I have been always reasonable and fair. These messages were not responded to and they showed DELIVERED???
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— Rickey Smiley (@RickeySmiley) April 10, 2023
“My grandmother was awesome, she was classy,” he said last year during his radio show. “I just see a lot of selfishness…you are not responsible for your grandkids but, man, shout out to the ones that will, the ones that do.”
