In re C.A.D., 247 N.C. App. 552 (2016)
Held:
Affirmed
- After finding a ground to terminate parental rights (in this case, neglect), the court must determine if termination of parental rights is in the child’s best interests and consider factors specified in G.S. 7B-1110(a). Although the court may consider the availability of a relative for placement, it is not required to do so under the designated factors. Whether a relative is available is not determinative of the child’s best interests.
- The court considered the six statutory factors and placement with the maternal grandparents and determined the child’s best interests were not served by the grandparents, who created an injurious environment for the children resulting in their adjudication as neglected and dependent. There was no abuse of discretion in concluding it was in the children’s best interests to terminate the respondent mother’s rights to assist in the achievement of the children’s permanent plan of adoption.
Category:
Termination of Parental RightsStage:
DispositionTopic:
Best Interests Findings