Court Upholds Termination of Parental Rights

Lack of suitable housing, unemployment, and untreated depression was enough to terminate parental rights.

The trial court properly terminated the respondent-mother’s parental rights to the child where the statutory grounds for termination were established by clear and convincing evidence and termination was in the child’s best interests.

The court held that given the issues leading to adjudication — lack of suitable housing, unemployment, and untreated depression — continued to exist, termination of parental rights was proper under § (c)(i). It also held that given respondent’s “unstable housing and poor judgment regarding what constituted suitable housing, her inability to maintain employment, and her lack of consideration for the child’s emotional wellbeing,” she was unable to provide proper care of her child. There was also no evidence she could keep her child safe from physical or emotional harm given her questionable judgment and her willingness to miss visits. Thus, termination of parental rights was proper under §§ (g) and (j). Affirmed.

COA Docket No. 324004.