A Lenawee County Probate & Juvenile Court judge on record terminated the parental rights of Justin King and committed four children to the department for adoption, finding the conditions that led to their removal continue and that returning the children would create a reasonable likelihood of harm.

The department and the guardian ad litem urged termination after testimony that the children, removed Nov. 21, 2024, had complex trauma and special needs and have made substantial progress in foster and relative placements. Department counsel Sasha Thomas told the court the record supported freeing the children for adoption and cited failures by the father to secure stable housing, consistent income or meaningful engagement with services.

In delivering findings, the judge said the court had reviewed the evidence and statutory standards cited in the record and concluded there was clear and convincing evidence supporting termination. The judge noted a neurologist’s testimony that a cited cyst would not likely have prevented parenting capacity but concluded the broader record showed untreated mental-health concerns, unstable housing and a history that left the children at risk.

The court ordered the four children committed to the department for adoption and set the next review — which will also serve as the first post-termination review for the younger three — for Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. The judge stated there would be no further efforts toward reunification with Justin King and that service and notice would be provided to him.