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There is another interesting question: where does the State get the authority to decide who raises a family member? In the past custodial care was often worked out among family members. While I can see that in the cases abandoned or completely orphaned children, some help may be needed to find an alternative. But churches and other institutions have always played a role in these matters and in many other countries today, play the primary role. It wasn't until the 18th century that the State really seemed to do more than provide funding. Then the birth of State run orphanages and the horrors of them lead to the dismantling of the physical institutions but governments seem to want a larger and larger share of the control in the process.

The recent news articles about the UK and the denial of medical support for the allegedly terminal infant should be a reminder of the growth of this power. The underlying theme of the OP is that the State knows better what is better for the child than the grandparents. We see CPS in Texas with the same mentality in the licensing of day care facilities. It isn't just the court and the judge with this mindset.