In re: J.E.S., P.K.S., P.E.S.

Summary

The North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed an Orange County permanency planning order ceasing reunification efforts and orders terminating the respondent mother’s parental rights to three children. The court held that competent evidence supported the trial court’s findings and conclusions regarding the likelihood of future neglect and the cessation of reunification efforts.

Holdings

1. The trial court did not err in ceasing reunification efforts because the challenged findings were supported by competent evidence and the findings supported the determination that reunification efforts would be unsuccessful or inconsistent with the children's health or safety.
2. The trial court properly terminated Mother's parental rights to all three children on the ground of neglect because competent evidence supported the findings and the unchallenged findings established a likelihood that neglect would recur or continue if the children were returned to Mother's care.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the trial court's findings of fact in the permanency planning order were supported by competent evidence and supported the decision to cease reunification efforts.
2. Whether the trial court properly found that reunification efforts would be unsuccessful or inconsistent with the children's health or safety and adopted adoption as the primary permanency plan.
3. Whether competent evidence supported termination of Mother's parental rights on the ground of neglect, including a likelihood that neglect would recur or continue if the children were returned to her care.

Disposition

affirmed