DHS v. J.N.A.

To terminate a parent’s rights, a court must determine a parent unfit within the meaning of ORS 419B.504 and that it is in the best interests of the child to terminate rights pursuant to ORS 419B.500.

Father appealed a judgment terminating his parental rights, arguing that the Department of Human Services (DHS) did not provide sufficient evidence to determine he was an unfit parent under ORS 419B.504, and it was in the child’s best interest to terminate parental rights in accordance with ORS 419B.504.  Further, Father argued that DHS did not identify any particular evidence of “factual circumstances” which would demonstrate adoption would meet the child’s permanency needs.  To terminate a parent’s rights, a court must determine a parent unfit within the meaning of ORS 419B.504 and that it is in the best interests of the child to terminate rights pursuant to ORS 419B.500.  Without discussing the facts of this case, on de novo review, the Court found clear and convincing evidence meeting the legal standard for terminating Father’s parental rights, and that it would be in the best interests of the child.  Affirmed.