Can a non custodial parent claim his child on his taxes when the custodial parent passed away at the end of the tax year? Child support was paid by non custodial parent

[xmasbaby0]

  Very sorry for the loss of the child's parent.    We do not know enough.

Was the child living with only the parent who passed away-----or was that parent married?  Is there a step-parent in the picture?   Or a grandparent that the parent and the child were living with?      Boyfriend/girlfriend of the parent who passed?   Who is the child currently living with?  Please provide some details.   

[tbird2405]

The child was living with her mother and her mother's boyfriend for many years.  Non custodial lives in another town.  Child's mother passed a few weeks before xmas.  Child is still living with mother's boyfriend(was never married to mother) but the guardianship/custody situtation hasnt changed yet.  Can the non custodial parent/father claim the child tax credit since no one else legally can right now?