In re Kayleigh P.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld the termination of father’s parental rights, 22 M.R.S. 4055(1)(B)(2) as in the best interests of the children. The lower court found by clear and convincing evidence that Father was unable to protect the children from jeopardy or to take responsibility for them within a time reasonably calculated to meet their needs. The court noted that: the children had been neglected in the care of their mother; Father’s partner has “a serious child protection history; at the time of their October 2014 removal from mother's custody, Father had not seen the children since January 2014; the children had been in foster care for two years since removal from their mother and have done well in foster care; Father did not understand the medical needs of the children: and Father did not make progress on a reunification plan or get mental health treatment required by the plan for his depression, PTSD, and ADHD issues. The guardian ad litem had recommended termination, noting that the children have a high-level of needs and need permanency. View "In re Kayleigh P." on Justia Law