Due to the parents' work schedule and limited interest in parenting, they left their son in the care of his aunt for most of the first five years of his life. After the aunt supported her brother (the father) with some marital problems, the mother became angry with the aunt and, although the couple reconciled, they have not let the child have much contact with the aunt since that time. The child is now almost seven.
The aunt has now been told that she won't be allowed to see the child at all. Can she get a court order for visitation under North Carolina law? They have heard that a third party who has acted in the manner of a parent may be able to get visitation rights.

