State of North Dakota, Petitioner and Appellee v. G.J.E.P., Jr., child; J.R., mother; Respondents (2021)

Supreme Court of North Dakota.

INTEREST OF G.J.E.P., Jr., minor child State of North Dakota, Petitioner and Appellee v. G.J.E.P., Sr., father, Respondent and Appellant G.J.E.P., Jr., child; J.R., mother; Respondents

Interest of M.V.P., minor child State of North Dakota, Petitioner and Appellee v. G.J.E.P., Sr., father, Respondent and Appellant M.V.P., child; J.R., mother; Respondents

No. 20210188, No. 20210189

Decided: August 19, 2021

Jacqueline A. Gaddie, Assistant State's Attorney, and Samantha Schmidt, under the Rule on Limited Practice of Law by Law Students, Grand Forks, ND, for petitioner and appellee; submitted on brief. Ashley K. Schell, Williston, ND, for respondent and appellant; submitted on brief.

[¶1] G.P. Sr. appeals from a juvenile court judgment terminating his parental rights to G.P. Jr. and M.P. G.P. Sr. argues the evidence presented at trial does not support a finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that it was in the children's best interests to terminate his parental rights. He claims alternatives to termination were available. After reviewing the record, the court's findings are supported by clear and convincing evidence and are not clearly erroneous. The court did not abuse its discretion in terminating G.P. Sr.’s parental rights. We summarily affirm under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2) and (4).

Per Curiam.

[¶2] Jon J. Jensen, C.J. Gerald W. VandeWalle Daniel J. Crothers Lisa Fair McEvers Jerod E. Tufte