Our daughter and her husband will not let us see our grand children. They have been living with his parents, under lock and key, never see the kids playing in the yard, and the whole place is filty. These children have lived in our basement apartment for the last 3 years up until then. We have paid their bills and tended the children while my daughter worked. Do you have any ideas for us? We have already called DCFS, and they reported the children were not harmed.

While grandparent rights exist, they generally exist to allow grandparents access to grandchildren when there has been a death or divorce. Since your daughter and SIL are together, it is there decision to cut off access.

Did they cut you off before or after you reported then to DCFS? If DCFS investigated and did not find that the children were under lock and key or living in filth, what makes you think they are? How would you know they aren't allowed to play in the yard unless you are stalking them?

As usual there are two sides to any story. Reading between the lines of what you posted doesn't make out the in-laws so bad.

The minute I saw 'under lock and key' I had to stop giving credence to any of what you wrote. I don't know how you could possible have proof of that. Now that you have called DCF, I can't imagine that you will ever have any hope of personal reconciliation. It's very sad.