In re Parentage of J.W.

Petitioner filed Parentage Action to determine existence of father-child relationship shortly after seeing picture of child, then age 5, on mother's social media website, as child resembled him, and contacted mother and asked if he could be the father, which DNA test then confirmed. There is a presumption that Petitioner is entitled to reasonable visitation rights unless visitation would endanger seriously child's physical, mental, moral, or emotional health. Petitioner bore no initial burden of proof, and GAL's concerns that child did not know that Petitioner was her biological father and that starting visitation would place child at risk of harm academically, socially, and emotionally does not constitute evidence showing that visitation would seriously endanger child's health. Court could have taken steps to reduce risk of harm by gradually introducing child to Petitioner under guidance of experienced professional. (TURNER and APPLETON, concurring.)