{
  "id": 3741419,
  "name": "IN THE MATTER OF J.T.W., a minor child",
  "name_abbreviation": "In re J.T.W.",
  "decision_date": "2007-05-04",
  "docket_number": "No. 477A06",
  "first_page": "341",
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:19:48.141297+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
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  "casebody": {
    "judges": [
      "Justice HUDSON did not participate in the consideration or decision of this case."
    ],
    "parties": [
      "IN THE MATTER OF J.T.W., a minor child"
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "PER CURIAM.\nIn its order terminating respondent mother\u2019s parental rights, entered 17 May 2004, the trial court found that \u201c[t]he minor child . . . was adjudicated neglected on 11/1/01\u201d and that the motion for termination of parental rights of respondent* mother was filed on 30 May 2003. The trial court also found the following facts:\n9. . . . Until recently, the mother had a different employer every couple of months, a pattern which continued for years and which continues through the time of this hearing.\n13. The Respondent Mother\u2019s transportation problems have repeatedly led to the mother losing her employment and has [sic] contributed to difficulties with the mother visiting her children. The mother\u2019s voluntary departure from Statesville to Gastonia in 2003 has created further difficulties for the mother in visiting her children since she has no transportation which would allow her to visit them.\n15. The Respondent Mother has had no visits with any of her children who were placed in custody since December 2002. As a result, these children have no observable bond with the mother. The mother is virtually unknown to [J.T.W.] in as much as [sic] he has been in care since he was an infant.\n22. All three children taken into the custody of the Iredell County DSS have exhibited or are exhibiting special needs.\nBased on these findings of fact, the trial court concluded:\n2. Clear, Cogent and Convincing evidence exists to find that the minor child has been neglected within the definition of N.C.G.S. [\u00a7] 7B-101 and that such neglect would continue for the foreseeable future if the child were placed in the care and custody of either parent, and that the parents, for a period of twelve months next proceeding [sic] the filing of the TPR motion in this case, have failed to show to the satisfaction of the court that reasonable progress has been made to correct the conditions which led to the removal of the minor child.\n3. The best interest of the minor child would be served by terminating the parental rights of both Respondent Parents.\nA divided panel of the Court of Appeals reversed the trial court\u2019s termination of respondent mother\u2019s parental rights because \u201c[n]one of the court\u2019s findings indicate that neglect is likely to reoccur if respondent mother regains custody.\u201d In re J.T.W., 178 N.C. App. 678, 686, 632 S.E.2d 237, 241-42 (2006). The dissent, voting to affirm the trial court\u2019s order, stated, \u201c \u2018[E]vidence of changed conditions in light of the history of neglect by the parent, and the probability of a repetition of neglect\u2019 are also factors that must be considered, and \u2018visitation by the parent is a relevant factor in [neglect] cases.\u2019 \u201d Id. at 688, 632 S.E.2d at 243 (Martin, C.J., dissenting) (quoting In re Pierce, 146 N.C. App. 641, 651, 554 S.E.2d 25, 31 (2001), aff\u2019d, 356 N.C. 68, 565 S.E.2d 81 (2002)). The dissent further noted, \u201c \u2018The determinative factors must be the best interests of the child and the fitness of the parent to care for the child at the time of the termination proceeding.\u2019 \u201d Id. at 688, 632 S.E.2d at 243 (quoting In re Brim, 139 N.C. App. 733, 742, 535 S.E.2d 367, 372 (2000)).\nHaving carefully considered the opinion of the Court of Appeals, the record, briefs, and oral arguments, we conclude the trial court\u2019s findings were sufficient to support its conclusions of law, and we reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals.\nREVERSED.\nJustice HUDSON did not participate in the consideration or decision of this case.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "PER CURIAM."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Holly M. Groce for appellant Guardian ad Litem.",
      "Katharine Chester and Richard E. Jester for respondentappellee mother."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "IN THE MATTER OF J.T.W., a minor child\nNo. 477A06\n(Filed 4 May 2007)\nTermination of Parental Rights\u2014 neglect \u2014 probability of repetition\nA divided panel of the Court of Appeals erred by reversing the trial court\u2019s termination of respondent mother\u2019s parental rights based on its erroneous determination that none of the court\u2019s findings indicate that neglect is likely to reoccur if respondent mother regains custody.\nJustice Hudson did not participate in the consideration or decision of this case.\nAppeal pursuant to N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-30(2) from the decision of a divided panel of the Court of Appeals, 178 N.C. App. 678, 632 S.E.2d 237 (2006), reversing an order terminating parental rights entered 17 May 2004 by Judge L. Dale Graham in District Court, Iredell County. Heard in the Supreme Court 14 February 2007.\nHolly M. Groce for appellant Guardian ad Litem.\nKatharine Chester and Richard E. Jester for respondentappellee mother."
  },
  "file_name": "0341-01",
  "first_page_order": 399,
  "last_page_order": 401
}
