In re Heath D.

Summary

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a judgment terminating the parental rights of Heath D. and Francine E. under 22 M.R.S. § 4055. The court held that competent evidence supported the findings of parental unfitness and that the Department of Health and Human Services satisfied its rehabilitation and reunification obligations.

Holdings

1. The District Court did not err in finding by clear and convincing evidence that the parents were unwilling or unable to protect the child from jeopardy, unable or unwilling to take responsibility for the child, and had failed to make a good-faith effort to rehabilitate and reunify, where competent evidence supported the court's findings.
2. The District Court did not err or abuse its discretion in determining that termination of both parents' parental rights was in the child's best interests.
3. The District Court did not err in finding that the Department satisfied its statutory responsibilities in implementing the rehabilitation and reunification plan.

Questions Presented

1. Whether competent evidence supported the District Court's findings that the parents were unwilling or unable to protect the child from jeopardy, were unwilling or unable to take responsibility for the child, and failed to make a good-faith effort to rehabilitate and reunify.
2. Whether the District Court erred or abused its discretion in determining that termination of both parents' parental rights was in the child's best interests.
3. Whether the Department of Health and Human Services satisfied its statutory responsibilities to make reasonable rehabilitation and reunification efforts.

Disposition

affirmed