Can anyone help with a Child custody issue in Virginia?

It's because of the relationship that this is possible. In recent years, with the number of children by mothers who have no idea who the father was, stepfathers who have developed father/child relationships have gained this right in the event of a breakup.

Of interest, this began in Pennsylvania as a result of a 1998 case where a wife had an ongoing affair during her marriage. After 17 years, she filed for divorce in order to marry her lover, but her husband filed for custody. At this point she informed him that he was likely not the father of any of the children. DNA testing proved this out, but he still pressed forward for custody. She got help from woman's rights groups, so initially, he lost, including no visitation, because he was not the biological father, but he pushed on, winning on appeal, than losing on the next appeal. It went all the way to the state supreme court, which ruled in his favor.

The fact is, in her heart and mind, this is her father. You say she was unruly. Perhaps she knew she needed a firmer hand for her to make it through high school and prepare her for college. I hope that he makes sure that she continues a close relationship with her mother.