IN RE: C.B. (2024)

Respondent-appellant Mother appeals from the trial court's adjudication order which adjudicated C.B. (“Colbie”)¹ to be a neglected and dependent juvenile and the trial court's disposition order which placed Colbie in DSS custody and ordered Colbie's parents to cooperate with DSS and follow all recommendations.

Mother's appellate counsel filed a no-merit brief pursuant to Rule 3.1(e) of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure. Mother did not exercise her opportunity to file a pro se brief in accordance with Rule 3.1(e).

Counsel has fully complied with the requirements of Rule 3.1(e). We note that counsel identified three potential issues for our independent review: (1) whether the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction, (2) whether the trial court abused its discretion by denying placement of Colbie with a paternal relative, and (3) whether the trial court improperly delegated Mother's visitation with Colbie to Johnston County DSS.

In accordance with our Supreme Court's holding in In re L.E.M., 372 N.C. 396 (2019), we have conducted an independent review of the potential issues raised in the no-merit brief in light of our consideration of the entire record. After conducting our review, we are satisfied that the trial court neither committed an error of law nor abused its discretion. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's adjudication and disposition orders.

AFFIRMED.

Report per Rule 30(e).

FOOTNOTES

1.   Pseudonym used for protection of the minor child pursuant to N.C. R. App. P. 42(b).

PER CURIAM.

Panel consisting of Judges STROUD, TYSON and WOOD.