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INTEREST OF D.M.H., a child State of North Dakota, Petitioner and Appellee v. D.M.H., child, J.D.H., father, J.H.T., guardian, L.H.T., guardian, and Lisa Larsen, Lay Guardian Ad Litem, Respondents S.L.S., Respondent and Appellant
[¶1] S.L.S., the mother of D.M.H., a minor child, appeals from the juvenile court's order appointing the child's paternal grandparents as legal guardians for D.M.H. The juvenile court did not establish a visitation schedule for S.L.S. Her parental rights have not been terminated. S.L.S. argues the juvenile court should have included a visitation schedule in its order rather than delegate visitation decisions to the child's guardians. The State agrees with S.L.S. and joins her request for a remand for the juvenile court to establish a visitation schedule.
[¶2] We summarily reverse under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(b) and remand for further proceedings. Interest of G.L., 2018 ND 176, ¶ 15, 915 N.W.2d 685 (holding a juvenile court may not delegate parental visitation to a child's guardian). We remand for a determination by the juvenile court whether visitation “is likely to endanger the child's physical or emotional health.” Id. at ¶ 14; N.D.C.C. § 14-05-22(2). If the juvenile court finds that visitation between S.L.S. and D.M.H. is not a danger to the child, it must order an appropriate visitation schedule.
Per Curiam.
[¶3] Gerald W. VandeWalle, C.J. Jerod E. Tufte Daniel J. Crothers Lisa Fair McEvers Donovan J. Foughty, D.J.[¶4] The Honorable Donovan J. Foughty, D.J., sitting in place of Jensen, J., disqualified.
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Docket No: No. 20180313
Decided: March 21, 2019
Court: Supreme Court of North Dakota.
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FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
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