State of North Dakota, Petitioner and Appellee v. C.Y.W., mother, Respondent and Appellant (2026)

[¶1] C.Y.W. appeals from a judgment terminating her parental rights of R.Y.W. C.Y.W. argues the juvenile court erred in finding she voluntarily consented to termination.

[¶2] Under N.D.C.C. § 27-20.3-20(1)(d), the juvenile court may terminate parental rights if “[t]he written consent of the parent acknowledged before the court has been given.” After a detailed colloquy ensuring that C.Y.W. understood her rights and the effect of termination and that consent was knowing and voluntary, C.Y.W. signed a written consent form, in open court while represented by counsel, acknowledging that she was terminating her parental rights. We conclude the court did not clearly err in finding C.Y.W. knowingly and voluntarily consented to termination of her parental rights. See In re C.D.G.E., 2017 ND 13, ¶ 6, 889 N.W.2d 863 (“Whether there was written consent is a finding of fact.”); Olson v. Olson, 2024 ND 224, ¶ 18, 14 N.W.3d 603 (applying clearly erroneous standard to court's finding that party voluntarily entered into agreement). We summarily affirm under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Per Curiam.

[¶3] Lisa Fair McEvers, C.J. Jerod E. Tufte Jon J. Jensen Douglas A. Bahr Mark A. Friese