Mom of missing woman vows to keep fighting after losing visitation rights for grandchildren

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The mother of missing Orlando woman Michelle Parker says she'll continue to fight to see her grandchildren, despite losing a battle in court.

"Anger and frustration," is how Yvonne Stewart describes the emotional rollercoaster, since her 33-year-old daughter went missing in 2011. "It's just heartwrenching."

Monday was a tough one for Stewart after she says she lost an appeal in the fight for custody to see her two grandchildren.

"It's not over yet! Tallahassee already contacted me today. They know about my ruling and they're already starting on revamping that statute."

Stewart helped pioneer a law which allows grandparents to have visitation rights.  Parkers twins were just three years old at the time their mother went missing.

"Trey he's 9 now and Taylor's his twin sister and she's 9 and just know how much we love you."

Stewart lost custody to the twins father, Dale Smith Jr , who remains a suspect in Parker's disappearance.  Stewart fought in court and thought Smith's violent criminal history would have worked in her favor. 

But in 2015, an Orange County judge ruled against Stewart and dismissed the case, so she appealed.

"The appeals judges agreed with the first ruling with absolutely no written words as to why."

But she said it's not over.

"The truth always comes out."

She hopes to see them soon, before they turn 18.

"Gonna tell them how much we love them and happy we're in their lives. We're gonna tell them about their mom that's what we're gonna do."

Legislators will meet on Thursday to consider changing the law regarding grandparents rights.