In re Jessica M.

The Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) filed an abuse and neglect petition against Mother and Father, the biological parents of two girls. After an adjudicatory hearing establishing the children were abused and neglected, Father voluntarily relinquished his parental rights. Mother was granted a post-adjudicatory improvement period. The circuit court later granted Mother a one-year rehabilitation period, finding that Mother benefitted from the services provided. DHHR subsequently filed a motion to terminate Mother's parental rights. After a dispositional hearing, the circuit court terminated Mother's parental rights, finding, among other things, that Mother participated in rehabilitative services but failed to benefit from them in ways that would protect the children. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that neglect and parental unfitness were not established by clear, cogent, and convincing grounds. Remanded for development of a reunification plan. View "In re Jessica M." on Justia Law