**Widowed Father Fights for Visitation Rights Amid Legal Battle with In-Laws**
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In a poignant custody battle, Scott Naso, a widowed father from Rhode Island, is engaged in a protracted dispute with his late wife’s parents over visitation rights for their four-year-old daughter, Laila. This ongoing legal struggle has not only taken an emotional toll but has raised significant concerns regarding parental rights and the influence of grandparents in such matters.
Scott, who lost his wife Shahrzad “Sherry” Naso to cancer in April 2024, claims that his in-laws, both of whom are medical professionals, bear some responsibility for Sherry’s death and have jeopardised their granddaughter’s welfare. The situation escalated to the point where Scott lodged a formal complaint with the Rhode Island Department of Health in January 2025, alleging that Sherry’s parents had interfered with her medical treatment and had written an excessive number of prescriptions for Laila before she turned three.
In a court session on April 20, 2025, a Rhode Island family court judge denied Scott’s request to suspend the trial, which he had hoped would allow him more time with his daughter during school vacation week. “I’ve been living in survival mode for so long. I have the constitutional right to raise my daughter without the government interfering,” Scott expressed. His lawyer, Veronica Assalone, argued that halting the proceedings was essential for protecting Scott’s rights and preventing him from incurring further financial strain, stating, “No one should be put through this, to have to spend £500,000 to defend his constitutional right.”
The battle began following Sherry’s cancer diagnosis in 2017, shortly after she and Scott met. They married in 2020 and welcomed Laila via surrogate the following year. Tragically, Sherry’s cancer returned, leading to her untimely passing, which Scott attributes to the detrimental influence of her parents on her healthcare choices.
Scott’s allegations against his in-laws, Siavash Ghoreishi, a paediatrician, and Jila Khorsand, a pathologist, have been adamantly denied. Both parents relinquished their medical licences soon after Sherry’s death, and they have formally disputed Scott’s claims, insisting they provided appropriate medical guidance.
Meanwhile, the family court proceedings revealed a breach of protocol when a critical witness for the grandparents was dismissed. It was disclosed that the witness, Donna Blanchard, who had a close relationship with Sherry, received testimony details from her lawyer, Barbara Grady, during a court break, violating a sequestration order intended to ensure the integrity of testimonies.
Judging the ongoing dispute, Family Court Judge Felix Gill maintained that the Rhode Island statute allowing grandparents to petition for visitation is designed to safeguard the rights of parents, requiring a high burden of proof from the petitioners. “I believe the statute here is narrowly tailored in such a way that it puts the burden solely and wholly on the petitioners to overcome by clear and convincing evidence that his decision is not reasonable,” he affirmed.
Adding another layer to the case, Scott has also filed an emergency motion with the Rhode Island Supreme Court to challenge the constitutionality of the state law regarding grandparent visitation rights. According to Assalone, this motion is moving forward for consideration, potentially setting a significant legal precedent.
Throughout this harrowing ordeal, Scott has conveyed a sense of frustration and exhaustion, describing his in-laws as “deceitful and manipulative.” He remarked, “Their whole focus is to make me miserable. I’m trying to move on.” His determination to protect his daughter whilst seeking closure from the past highlights the complex intersections of family dynamics, legal rights, and emotional wellbeing.
As the legal proceedings continue, Scott’s focus remains steadfastly on Laila’s future. With the burden of ongoing legal costs and the emotional strain of his circumstances, he yearns for the opportunity to create lasting memories with his daughter, hoping that, one day, their lives can return to some semblance of normalcy. The outcome of this case could not only impact the Naso family but may also shape the landscape of parental rights in similar disputes across the state.