Single Dad Says Grandparents’ Rights Trial Has Cost Him More Than $500K, but He’ll Do ‘Whatever It Takes’ to Keep Daughter Safe

Scott Naso, a widowed father from Rhode Island, is challenging the state’s grandparent visitation laws, asserting that they violate parents’ constitutional rights. As he prepares for a crucial trial, Naso argues that his experiences hold significant implications for parents across the United States. His legal battle has been intensified by a tragedy that struck his family: the death of his wife, Shahrzad “Sherry” Naso, from breast cancer in April 2024.

In a recent statement, Naso expressed his frustration with the perception that parents in Rhode Island possess an unassailable right to nurture their children without unwarranted government interference. “If you’re a parent in the state of Rhode Island and assume that you have a fundamental right to raise your child without the government unjustifiably interfering with that, you’re wrong. I’m living proof,” he declared. With the second anniversary of his wife’s passing approaching, Naso finds himself in a fight that has already cost him over £500,000 in legal fees.

The upcoming trial, which will resume in Kent County Family Court in Warwick, Rhode Island, seeks to address the constitutionality of the state’s visitation law for grandparents. Naso is calling on the public to attend the court proceedings, emphasising the need for accountability and public oversight in this significant legal debate. “I’m asking the public to please show up. Be present. Let the system know that people are watching,” he urged.

The backdrop of this case is tragic. Scott and Sherry Naso began their journey together in 2016, only to be confronted with her cancer diagnosis in 2017. Sherry endured various treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, which initially appeared successful. The couple married in 2020 and welcomed their daughter Laila through surrogacy a year later. Unfortunately, Sherry’s battle with cancer resumed, leading to her untimely passing when Laila was just under three years old.

Scott alleges that Sherry’s parents, both medical professionals, failed to address significant health concerns, which he believes contributed to her death. He claims they downplayed symptoms such as extreme fatigue and cognitive confusion. Naso contends that if these concerns had been taken seriously, Sherry would have sought suitable medical intervention and potentially survived. Her parents, Siavash Ghoreishi, a paediatrician, and Jila Khorsand, a pathologist, have denied these allegations, maintaining that they cared deeply for both Sherry and their granddaughter.

Alongside the accusations against his in-laws, Naso also alleges that they engaged in questionable medical practices concerning Laila. He contends that Ghoreishi prescribed 36 medications for Laila before her third birthday, suggesting an unsettling pattern that he has described as Munchausen syndrome by proxy—allegedly manipulating a caregiver’s role to create a perceived illness in another. Naso has pursued a formal complaint against them with the Rhode Island Department of Health and hopes to ensure that his daughter is shielded from further harm.

Legal documents submitted by Naso’s attorney, Veronica Assalone, raise pivotal questions regarding grandparent rights in relation to parental authority. An emergency petition has been filed with the Rhode Island Supreme Court to examine whether the state’s visitation statute aligns with constitutional standards set forth by precedents like Troxel v. Granville. This case established that states should not infringe on the rights of fit parents to raise their children without substantial evidence of harm.

Assalone argues that the current landscape in Rhode Island has remained unchanged for over two decades, with many other states having reformed similar laws to protect parental rights more robustly. In her view, Naso’s case is far-reaching, potentially affecting every parent within the state and prompting a critical examination of the balance between grandparent visitation rights and parental authority.

As Scott continues to navigate this taxing legal challenge, he remains committed to his daughter’s well-being. Despite the financial strain, he asserts that he will do everything in his power to shield Laila from any perceived threats. The outcome of this trial could set a significant precedent, not just for Rhode Island residents but for families facing similar dilemmas across the country.