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Dana Ross

Dana Ross was a Portland resident married to David Ross and the mother of Danny Ross and Darren Ross. David’s alcoholism and Dana’s emotional volatility, criticism, neglect, and failure to protect the children made their household unsafe. Dana and David opposed Danny’s petition for custody of Darren, but the court granted the petition in 2013. Dana remained estranged from Danny and Darren after the case.

Family and Core Relationships

David Ross

Dana was married to David Ross. His alcoholism destabilized the household, and Dana supported him during the custody dispute rather than separating herself from his effort to retain custody.

Danny Ross

Dana did not reliably meet Danny’s or Darren’s care needs. Danny assumed responsibility for feeding Darren, ensuring that he attended school, and protecting him from the household’s volatility.

After turning eighteen, Danny sought legal custody of Darren. Dana and David opposed him and argued that his age, chronic illness, and financial circumstances made him unfit to care for his brother.

Darren Ross

Darren testified that he felt unsafe in his parents’ home and wanted to live with Danny. The court considered his testimony and transferred his custody to Danny.

2013 Custody Case

Main article: 2013 Portland Custody Battle Arc

A CPS investigation began in late 2012 after emergency medics witnessed one of David’s aggressive outbursts. The resulting proceedings included home evaluations, multiple hearings, Darren’s testimony, and a severe flare of Danny’s cyclic vomiting syndrome during a hearing.

Dana and David characterized Danny’s chronic illness as evidence that he could not provide stable care. The court rejected that argument, found the parental household unsafe, and granted Danny full custody of Darren in early 2013.

After the ruling, Dana and David blamed Danny for the family’s rupture rather than accepting responsibility for the conditions documented during the case. The estrangement continued through Danny’s death in 2022 and afterward.

Characters Minor Characters Living Characters Ross Family