Appeals court hears challenge to termination of mother’s parental rights in DCF case

An appellate panel heard oral argument in the Department of Children and Families’ appeal of the termination of a mother’s parental rights to two younger children, with attorneys debating whether the trial court’s factual findings were clearly erroneous and whether the judge over-relied on the teenager’s testimony in finding the mother unfit.

The mother’s attorney, Robert Young, told the court that “Mother is asking this court to vacate the termination decrees as to her 2 youngest children because of the, clearly erroneous factual conclusions which arose because of a lack of close attention to the evidence, and a reliance on the teenage daughter's story and circumstances.” Young argued the judge mischaracterized the mother’s engagement with services and overstated her unwillingness or inability to benefit from therapy and other interventions.

Young said the record shows the mother sought medical care for the teenager, inquired about family therapy and engaged in…