In re Matthew R.

Summary

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a judgment terminating Matthew R.'s parental rights to his son. The court held that clear and convincing evidence supported findings that he was unable or unwilling to protect the child from jeopardy arising from the mother's substance abuse, that the circumstances were unlikely to change within a time reasonably calculated to meet the child's needs, and that termination was in the child's best interest.

Holdings

1. The District Court did not err in finding that the father remained unable to understand the child's needs and protect him from the jeopardy presented by the mother's substance abuse and related conduct within a time reasonably calculated to meet the child's needs.
2. The District Court did not err or abuse its discretion in determining that termination of the father's parental rights was in the child's best interest.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the evidence supported the finding that the father was unwilling or unable to protect the child from jeopardy and that the circumstances were unlikely to change within a time reasonably calculated to meet the child's needs.
2. Whether termination of the father's parental rights was in the child's best interest.
3. Whether the District Court erred or abused its discretion in terminating the father's parental rights despite his participation in services and relationship with the mother.

Disposition

affirmed