In re Charles V.

Summary

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a district court judgment terminating the father's parental rights. The court held that clear and convincing evidence supported findings that, despite recent efforts, the father remained unable to protect the child from jeopardy or assume responsibility for the child within a time reasonably calculated to meet the child's needs, and that termination was in the child's best interests.

Holdings

1. The district court properly found by clear and convincing evidence that the father was unable to protect the child from jeopardy or take responsibility for the child's care within a time reasonably calculated to meet the child's needs.
2. The district court did not abuse its discretion in determining that termination of the father's parental rights was in the child's best interests.

Questions Presented

1. Whether competent evidence supported the district court's finding that the father was unable to protect the child from jeopardy or take responsibility for the child within a time reasonably calculated to meet the child's needs.
2. Whether the district court erred in finding that termination of the father's parental rights was in the child's best interests despite the father's more recent efforts and conflicting testimony concerning the time needed for reunification.

Disposition

affirmed