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David Ross

David Ross was a Portland resident married to Dana Ross and the father of Danny Ross and Darren Ross. His alcohol use disorder, volatility, and explosive behavior contributed to an unsafe household in which Danny provided much of Darren’s care. David and Dana opposed Danny’s petition for custody of Darren, but the court granted the petition in 2013. David remained estranged from Danny and Darren after the case.

Health and Disabilities

David had alcohol use disorder. His drinking and volatility impaired his ability to provide reliable care and contributed to the instability and fear within the Ross household.

During a 2012 incident involving Darren’s migraine, David reacted explosively rather than providing care. The exact sequence of that incident was not established, but it became part of the pattern considered during the later custody proceedings.

Family and Core Relationships

Dana Ross

David was married to Dana Ross. His alcohol use and volatility combined with Dana’s criticism, emotional volatility, neglect, and failure to protect the children to make the household unsafe.

Danny Ross

Danny took on caregiving responsibilities for Darren because David and Dana did not meet the children’s needs consistently. During the custody case, David used Danny’s youth, health, and financial circumstances to argue that he was unfit to raise Darren.

When Danny’s cyclic vomiting syndrome flared during a hearing, David presented the collapse as evidence against Danny’s parenting capacity. The court rejected that argument and awarded Danny custody.

Darren Ross

Danny buffered Darren from some of David’s volatility and provided much of his daily care. Darren later testified that he felt unsafe in his parents’ home and wanted to live with Danny.

Main article: 2013 Portland Custody Battle Arc

A CPS investigation examined the Ross household after a documented explosive incident involving David. David and Dana opposed the transfer of Darren’s custody to Danny and framed Danny’s chronic illness and limited resources as evidence of unfitness.

The court found the parental household unsafe and granted Danny full custody of Darren. David and Dana blamed Danny for the family rupture rather than accepting responsibility in the available record. Their estrangement from Danny and Darren persisted through Danny’s 2022 death and afterward.

Characters Minor Characters Living Characters Disabled Characters Ross Family