Would this fall under "child"?

LindaS

I have an employee whose granddaugter has, what I feel would be (don't have the medical cert. though)a serious health condition. The child's mother has legal custody but the grandfather, and grandmother, have authority to make medical decisions as it pertains to the child. He is requesting FMLA leave to take his granddaughter to medical appointments because the mother and grandmother don't like to drive in the winter. Would this situation qualify him for FMLA leave?

Whatever

It is not unusual for a parent to name a backup in case the parent is unavailable when a medical decision has to be made concerning a minor child. The grandaughter does not fit into the definition of a child under FMLA. I would not qualify.