District of Columbia Code Division III. Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations. § 21-101. Natural guardians of the person.

(a) The father and mother are the natural guardians of the person of their minor children. When either dies or is incapable of acting, the natural guardianship of the person devolves upon the other.

(b) This section does not affect the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint another person guardian of the children when it appears to the court that the welfare of the children requires it.