A court may award custody of a minor child to either parent or joint custody to both parents, with neither parent being presumed to have any right to custody that is superior to the right of the other parent. If the court has reasonable grounds to believe that a child has been abused or neglected by a parent, and if the court believes that the conduct will continue, the court shall deny custody or visitation rights to that party, except that the court may approve a supervised visitation arrangement that assures the safety and the physiological, psychological, and emotional well-being of the child. A child who is 16 years old or older may file a petition to change custody.

[Based on Maryland Code, Family Law, Sections 5-203, 9-101 and 9-103]