Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
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.
IN RE: A. I. H., a Child. Department of Human Services, Petitioner-Respondent, v. M. H., Appellant.
IN RE: A. M. H., a Child. Department of Human Services, Petitioner-Respondent, v. M. H., Appellant.
IN RE: A. R. H., a Child. Department of Human Services, Petitioner-Respondent, v. M. H., Appellant.
In this consolidated juvenile dependency case involving three siblings, father appeals three judgments taking jurisdiction over the children based on the jurisdictional allegation that there was a current risk of harm to the children because “father has a history of chemical abuse involving methamphetamine, that unremedied disrupts his ability and availability to adequately and appropriately parent, that endangers his liberty and sobriety to appropriately parent, and that makes him a danger to the child[ren].” On appeal, father argues that the juvenile court erred in taking jurisdiction based on his history of methamphetamine use. In response, the Department of Human Services (DHS) concedes that the evidence is insufficient to establish that father’s history of methamphetamine use posed a current, nonspeculative risk of harm to the children, and that the juvenile court erred. ORS 419B.100(1)(c); Dept. of Human Services v. A. W., 276 Or. App. 276, 278, 367 P.3d 556 (2016) (“To establish jurisdiction pursuant to ORS 419B.100(1)(c), DHS must present evidence sufficient to support a conclusion that the child’s condition or circumstances expose the child to a current threat of serious loss or injury that is likely to be realized.”). We agree with and accept DHS’s concession that the evidence is legally insufficient to establish that father’s history of methamphetamine use posed a current, nonspeculative risk of harm to the children. Accordingly, we reverse the jurisdictional judgments.
Reversed.
PER CURIAM
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Docket No: A172183 (Control)
Decided: February 20, 2020
Court: Court of Appeals of Oregon.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
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.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)