In re Leara G.

Summary

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed a Family Court decree terminating Lawanda G.'s parental rights to her daughter, Leara G. The court held that legally competent evidence supported findings that the Department of Children, Youth, and Families made reasonable reunification efforts, the mother failed to complete case-plan objectives, and termination was in Leara's best interests.

Holdings

1. The Family Court's findings were supported by legally competent evidence, and the trial justice neither overlooked nor misconceived material evidence nor was clearly wrong.
2. Termination of respondent's parental rights was in Leara's best interests because Leara was integrated into a foster family where she was doing well and that family was willing and able to permanently integrate her.

Questions Presented

1. Whether DCYF made reasonable efforts to reunify respondent and Leara.
2. Whether respondent was an unfit mother under the circumstances supporting termination of parental rights.
3. Whether termination of respondent's parental rights was in Leara's best interests.
4. Whether the Family Court overlooked evidence of respondent's improvements after the termination petition was filed.

Disposition

affirmed