IN RE: A.M.D.A. A Minor Juvenile. (2026)

Respondent-appellant (Father) appeals from the termination of parental rights order as to his child, A.M.D.A.¹ Father's counsel has filed a no-merit brief under Rule 3.1(e) of our Rules of Appellate Procedure. Under Rule 3.1(e), counsel filing a no-merit brief is required to “identify any issues in the record on appeal that arguably support the appeal and must state why those issues lack merit or would not alter the ultimate result.” N.C. R. App. P. 3.1(e).

Here, Father's counsel has fully complied with all the requirements of Rule 3.1(e) and identified as an issue for our independent review: whether the evidence was sufficiently clear and convincing to support the trial court's findings of fact, and whether the findings of fact were sufficient to support the trial court's conclusion of law and adjudication that Father willfully abandoned the juvenile. This Court conducts an independent review of the issues raised in the no-merit brief. In re L.E.M., 372 N.C. 396, 402 (2019). “[T]he text of Rule 3.1([e]) plainly contemplates appellate review of the issues contained in a no-merit brief.” Id.

We have reviewed this issue raised by Father's counsel and “are satisfied that the trial court's order terminating Father's parental rights is supported by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence and is based on proper legal grounds.” In re K.M.S., 380 N.C. 56, 59 (2022). Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's order.

AFFIRMED.

Report per Rule 30(e).

FOOTNOTES

1.   A pseudonym.

PER CURIAM.