State of North Dakota, Petitioner and Appellee v. L.S.C., mother, Respondent and Appellant (2024)

Per Curiam.

[¶1] L.S.C. appeals from a juvenile court order terminating her parental rights to S.S.C. The court found it was undisputed S.S.C. had been in foster care for a total of 724 continuous nights at the time of the hearing, and:

“That the totality of circumstances in this case, including the history of drug use, the lack of consistent involvement in treatment and cooperation with the Human Service Zone, the length of time before a possible reunification can take place, and the prognostic evidence of the likelihood that the parents’ current inability to care for the child will continue into the foreseeable future, force the Court to the conclusion that the only real solution in this matter is a termination of parental rights.”

[¶2] L.S.C. argues the evidence does not support findings that S.S.C. is in need of protection and the conditions and causes of the need for protection are likely to continue. After reviewing the record, we conclude the juvenile court's findings are not clearly erroneous and the court did not abuse its discretion when it terminated L.S.C.’s parental rights. See Interest of A.C., 2022 ND 123, ¶ 5, 975 N.W.2d 567 (the clearly erroneous standard of review applies to factual findings made in a termination of parental rights proceeding); see also Interest of A.P., 2022 ND 131, ¶ 2, 976 N.W.2d 244 (whether terminating parental rights would promote the child's welfare is left to the court's discretion when the required elements are proven by clear and convincing evidence). We summarily affirm under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

[¶3] Jon J. Jensen, C.J.

Daniel J. Crothers

Lisa Fair McEvers

Jerod E. Tufte

Douglas A. Bahr

Per Curiam.