{
  "id": 12130846,
  "name": "In the Matter of JAMES S., a Juvenile",
  "name_abbreviation": "In re James S.",
  "decision_date": "1987-07-07",
  "docket_number": "No. 873DC167",
  "first_page": "364",
  "last_page": "366",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "86 N.C. App. 364"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.",
    "id": 14983,
    "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 5,
    "name_long": "North Carolina",
    "name": "N.C."
  },
  "cites_to": [
    {
      "cite": "319 S.E. 2d 567",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
      "year": 1984,
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "311 N.C. 586",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "case_ids": [
        4683884
      ],
      "year": 1984,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc/311/0586-01"
      ]
    }
  ],
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    "simhash": "1:cde500278fcfb4d6",
    "word_count": 755
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:31:51.245722+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [
      "Judges Martin and Cozort concur."
    ],
    "parties": [
      "In the Matter of JAMES S., a Juvenile"
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "BECTON, Judge.\nRespondent, Carol Mattocks, guardian ad litem for James S., appeals from an order relieving her of all responsibilities as guardian ad litem and denying her request for access to reports and records regarding James S.\u2019s adoption.\nOn 17 September 1985 Carol Mattocks was appointed guardian ad litem for James S. and his two half-brothers in a proceeding in which they were adjudged abused, neglected and dependent. They were placed in the custody of the Pitt County Department of Social Services (DSS). In September 1986 James\u2019 half-brothers were placed with their natural father. On 21 July 1986 a petition for James\u2019 adoption was filed. On 29 October 1986 the guardian ad litem filed a motion requesting access to James\u2019 adoption records. The DSS filed a petition in district court requesting that the court relieve the guardian ad litem of her responsibilities and deny her motion to gain access to James\u2019 adoption records. The court granted the relief sought by DSS. The guardian ad litem appealed. We affirm.\nThe guardian ad litem contends that the district court judge relieved her of responsibilities to James S. based on its mistaken belief that that court\u2019s jurisdiction ended upon the filing of an adoption petition. She argues that the juvenile court does not lose jurisdiction until that jurisdiction is terminated by statute (citing In re Shoe, 311 N.C. 586, 319 S.E. 2d 567 (1984)); and that the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 7A-660(b) (1986) contemplate the continuation of the juvenile court\u2019s jurisdiction during the pendency of any adoptive proceeding because the court must review an agency\u2019s plan for the child in the event the adoption petition is dismissed or withdrawn. We disagree with her reading of the statutes.\nChapter 7A specifically directs the district court to conduct periodic reviews of the juvenile\u2019s case before an adoption petition is filed. N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 7A-660(c). Only when an adoption petition is withdrawn or dismissed does the district court recommence its supervision. Jurisdiction over adoption proceedings is vested solely in superior court. Thus the district court has no jurisdiction to act once a petition for adoption is filed, and its jurisdiction is in abeyance once the petition is filed. The legislature charged the county department of social services or other licensed child-placing agency with the responsibility of selecting adoptive parents. N.C.G.S. Sec. 7A-659(f). The guardian ad litem\u2019s responsibility during this process is to raise any issue of the agency\u2019s abuse of discretion within ten days after she receives written notice of the filing of the adoption petition. The legislature provided no other responsibility for the guardian ad litem once a petition for adoption is filed, and, indeed, none seems appropriate. The superior court has the wherewithal! to accept or dismiss the petition in the child\u2019s best interest. The legislature clearly vested the DSS with the duty and responsibility \u201cto investigate the condition and antecedents of the child for the purpose of ascertaining whether he is a proper subject for adoption, to make appropriate inquiry to determine whether the proposed adoptive home is a suitable one for the child, and to investigate any other circumstances or conditions which may have a bearing on the adoption and which the court should have knowledge.\u201d N.C.G.S. Sec. 48-16(a) (1986). Absent any responsibilities or duties to perform, the guardian ad litem is superfluous to an adoption proceeding, and, in light of the thorough command given to the DSS, we fail to see how the child\u2019s interest might better be served by extending the guardian\u2019s role. More importantly, the guardian ad litem is required \u201cto protect and promote the best interests of the juvenile until formally relieved of the responsibility by the judge.\u201d N.C.G.S. Sec. 7A-586. The guardian was formally relieved in this case.\nThe order is affirmed.\nJudges Martin and Cozort concur.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "BECTON, Judge."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Everett, Everett, Warren & Harper, by Ryal W. Tayloe, C. W. Everett, Sr., and Edward J. Harper II, for petitioner ap-pellee.",
      "David A. Leech for respondent appellant."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "In the Matter of JAMES S., a Juvenile\nNo. 873DC167\n(Filed 7 July 1987)\nInfants 8 9.1\u2014 guardian ad litem \u2014relief from duties upon filing of adoption petition\nThe trial court did not err in relieving a guardian ad litem of her responsibilities and denying her motion to gain access to the child\u2019s adoption records, since the guardian had no responsibilities once the adoption petition was filed.\nAppeal by Respondent from Hunter, Judge. Order entered 18 November 1986 in District Court, PITT County. Heard in the Court of Appeals 9 June 1987.\nEverett, Everett, Warren & Harper, by Ryal W. Tayloe, C. W. Everett, Sr., and Edward J. Harper II, for petitioner ap-pellee.\nDavid A. Leech for respondent appellant."
  },
  "file_name": "0364-01",
  "first_page_order": 392,
  "last_page_order": 394
}