-
In
re Coby C. (April 29, 2008)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ..
Respondent
mother appealed termination of parental rights decision contending
that the trial court’s finding that she failed to rehabilitate
and that termination was in the best interests of her child
was clearly erroneous."
-
In
re Jorden R. (April 15, 2008)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ..
In
this unusual case, the Appellate Court reversed a termination
of parental rights decision on the grounds that the trial court's
determination that the mother was unable or unwilling to benefit
from reunification services was clearly erroneous."
-
In
re Anthony A. (March, 2008)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ..
In
this interesting neglect appeal, the respondent mother argued
that despite her significant psychiatric problems, her newborn
son should not have been adjudicated neglected because at the
time the neglect petition was filed the baby was living with
the maternal grandparents."
-
In
re Davonta V. (February 12, 2008)
Connecticut Supreme Court
Abuse and Neglect: ..The
fundamental question raised in this interesting appeal of a
termination of parental rights is whether it is ever in the
child's best interest to terminate his parental rights when
an adoptive family has not been secured and the child maintains
a good relationship with his extended biological family."
-
In
re Shanaira C. (February 12, 2008)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ..How
much intervention should be allowed by an intervenor at a revocation
hearing? The answer, according to the Appellate Court in Shanaira
C., is not as much as the intervenor would have liked. The court
upheld the trials court's revocation of commitment, despite
a thoughtful and well-reasoned dissenting argument."
-
In
re Joseph L. (January 28, 2008)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ..The
parents in this termination of parental rights appeal had a
long and significant history with DCF due to ongoing substance
abuse, domestic violence and ongoing child abuse and neglect
issues. The two children involved in this case were the mother's
ninth and ten children and the father's fourth and fifth. None
of the respondents' other children lived in the parents' care."
-
In
re T.K. (January 28, 2008)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ..In
this controversial case, the parents appealed the trial court's
decision that their child was neglected pursuant to a theory
of "predictive neglect." The parents' contended that absent
a history of problematic parenting or a demonstrated unwillingness
on the part of the parents to accept necessary services, the
doctrine of predictive neglect is inapplicable. The Appellate
court rejected the parents' argument and affirmed the decision
of the trial court.
-
In
re Leah S (December 18, 2007)
Connecticut Supreme Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...The
Supreme Court, reversing the judgment of the Appellate Court,
held that the Department of Children and Families could not
be held in contempt for violating the court-ordered Specific
Steps which mandated that the Department "ensure the [child's]
wellbeing" and "provide appropriate services." The Court determined,
ironically, that the Specific Steps were too vague to support
a finding of contempt.
-
In
re llyssa G. (December 18, 2007)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ..The
threshold for opening a default judgment in a termination of
parental rights case is a steep one which requires the satisfaction
of a two part test. Not only does the movant need to show that
(1) a good defense existed at the time the judgment was rendered,
but also (2) that the movant was prevented from making that
defense because of "mistake, accident, or other reasonable cause."
Unfortunately for the petitioning father in Ilyssa G., he was
unable meet either prong of the two-part test, and the appellate
court thus affirmed the termination of his parental rights in
this short case."
-
In
re Selena O (December 4, 2007)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...In
this unusual case, the appellate court reversed the trial court's
denial of the state's TPR petition. The appellate court held
that the trial court's decision that the state failed to make
its "failure to rehabilitate" case was clearly erroneous. The
appellate court remanded for further proceedings."
-
In
re Anna Lee M (October 2, 2007)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...In
this termination of parental rights appeal, the mother claimed
that the trial court erroneously relied on several pieces of
inadmissible evidence to support its finding that she "failed
to rehabilitate."
-
In
re Ryan R. (July 24, 2007)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...In
this “failure to rehabilitate” TPR appeal, the court affirmed
the termination of the mother’s parental rights and concluded
that DCF had made reasonable efforts to reunify her with her
child.
-
In
re Francisco R. (May 8, 2007)
Connecticut Supreme Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...Termination
of parental rights. Francisco was born February 3, 1995.
He may had been born with positive drug toxicology as his mother
abused drugs during pregnancy.
-
In
re Davonta V. (December 6, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...the
Appellate Court affirmed the trial court's decision to terminate
a mother's parental rights on the grounds that the mother failed
to achieve a reasonable degree of rehabilitation and termination
of parental rights was in the child's best interest.
-
In
re Jeremy M. (April10, 2007)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...In
this juvenile delinquency appeal, the petitioner, a 13 year
old boy, claimed that his constitutional rights were violated
when the court appointed a guardian ad litem against the express
wishes of himself and his father.
-
In
re Brittany J. (April 2007)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...In
this relatively straightforward termination of parental rights
appeal, the appellate court affirmed the trial court's findings
that the mother had failed to rehabilitate and that termination
of parental rights was in the children's best interests.
-
In
re Brianna C.
(December 26, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...The
Appellate Court affirmed an adjudication of neglect in the interesting
case of Brianna C., where the main reason for removal and foster
care placement was the father's paranoid schizophrenia resulting
in psychotic episodes.
-
In
re Christina M. (November 7, 2006)
Connecticut Supreme Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...In
this highly anticipated opinion, the Connecticut Supreme Court
held that parents have standing to assert claims that their
child was denied the right to effective counsel, but stopped
short of addressing the key issues raised in the appeal - namely
whether the conflict between a child's express wishes and her
attorney's position at trial merits constitutional review.
-
In
re Christian P. (October 24, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...tackles
the issue of whether parental rights may be terminated on a
ground that is not pleaded in the petition for termination.
The answer, not surprisingly, is no - and the object lesson
is that the state child welfare agency must plead the specific
grounds for termination in order for a court to consider those
grounds seeking termination of parental rights.
-
In
re Nasia B. (October 10, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...the
Appellate Court reversed the trial court's decision dismissing
the state's termination of parental rights petition for failure
to establish a prima facie case. The Court also reversed the
trial court's sua sponte decision to revoke DCF's custody of
the minor child and place the child at home under protective
supervision.
-
In
re Davonta V. (October 10, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...the
Appellate Court affirmed the trial court's decision to terminate
a mother's parental rights on the grounds that the mother failed
to achieve a reasonable degree of rehabilitation and termination
of parental rights was in the child's best interest.
-
In
re Rachel J. (October 3, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...In
a sad case that involved significant physical trauma and sexual
exploitation, the Appellate Court affirmed the termination of
a mother's parental rights in In re Rachel J.
-
In
re Nelmarie O. (September 19, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: ...the
Appellate Court affirmed the trial court's decision to terminate
a mother's parental rights on the grounds that the mother failed
to provide her children with a safe home environment free of
violence and therefore she denied them the "care, guidance or
control necessary for [the children's] well-being."
-
In
re Reginald H. (August 25, 2006)
Superior Court of Connecticut
Abuse and Neglect: This
is a decision on two so-called "Romance motions" filed in a
termination of parental rights case by petitioner, the Commissioner
of the Department of Children and Families ("DCF"), seeking
disclosure of certain of the mother's confidential medical and
substance abuse treatment information.
-
In
re Shaun B. (August 22, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: In
a relatively straight forward termination of parental rights
case, the appellate court affirmed the termination of a mother's
parental rights where the trial court found the failure to rehabilitate
constituted the most significant barrier to reunification.
-
In
re Leah S. (June 13, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: In
an important decision that reverberates as an ongoing warning
to the state's child welfare agency, the Appellate Court upheld
a motion for contempt against the state Department of Children
and Families ("Department") for noncompliance the court orders
regarding the care of a child in the Department's care. The
essential element in the case was whether the Department's noncompliance
of court orders was willful, or merely negligent.
-
In
re Stacey G. (March 21, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: Appellate
Court reversed a trial court's denial of a father's motion to
transfer guardianship
-
In
re Ashley. (February 1, 2006)
Connecticut Superior Court
Abuse and Neglect: trial
court denied the State's motion to compel a battered women's
shelter to disclose the mother's health records.
-
In
re Claudia F. (January 24, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: Appeal
of a Neglect Adjudication Moot
-
In
re Patricia C. (January 3, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: Maintain
Commitment and Affirm a Permanency Plan
-
In
re Shaiesha O. (January 3, 2006)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: Overturned
Termination of Parental Rights
-
In
re Nicholas R. (November 15, 2005)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: Order
of Temporary Custody
-
In
re Allison G. (November 5, 2005) Word Document Download
Supreme Court of Connecticut
Abuse and Neglect : Commissioner of children and families
appealed from judgment of the Superior Court, Judicial District
of Hartford, Frederica S. Brenneman, Judge Trial Referee, adjudicating
child uncared for due to child's specialized needs, and dismissing,
sua sponte, count of neglect. The Appellate Court, 84 Conn.App.
718, 854 A.2d 1124, dismissed appeal. Commissioner filed petition
for certification to appeal.
-
In
re Alejandro L. (September 6, 2005)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: Termination of Parental Rights
-
In
re Christina M. (August 2, 2005)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: Termination of Parental Rights
-
In
re Heather L. (June 21, 2005)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: Termination of Parental Rights
-
In
re Brendan C. (June 14, 2005)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: In this case, the parents of Brendan
C., an eight year old...
-
In
re Krystal J. (April 05, 2005)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: In a short yet convincing decision,
the appellate court upheld the denial of...
-
In
re Jermaine S. (January 11, 2005)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect: In Jermaine S., the Appellate Court
once again dealt with the difficult issues of substance abuse
and mental health.
-
Manifold
v. Ragaglia, et al (December 28, 2004)
Connecticut Supreme Court
Abuse and Neglect, Civil Liberties and Civil Rights :
The Connecticut Supreme Court weighed in on the important issue
of a physician's immunity from liability when determining whether
reasonable cause exists to suspect child abuse under Conn. Gen.
Stat. § 17a-101e. After enduring what can only be described
-
Lovan
C. v. Dept. of Children and Families (December 7, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect, Civil Liberties and Civil Rights : When
does corporal punishment constitute child abuse for purposes
of placement on the child abuse and neglect registry? That is
the tricky question that the appellate court tackled in its
controversial decision in Lovan C. The court, on its own volitio
-
In
re Jonathan C. (November 23, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect : The Appellate court routinely affirmed
the termination of parental rights in a case that thoroughly
addressed whether the mother demonstrated the willingness or
ability to benefit from reunification efforts. In Jonathan C.,
the court relayed the long and
-
In
re Destiny D. (November 16, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect : The Appellate Court affirmed the
termination of parental rights in a case where the mother put
her rights in jeopardy due to substance abuse problems.
-
In
re Tyqwane V. (October 12, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect : Termination of Parental Rights ...the
appellate court affirmed the termination of parental rights
of a mother's two sons. The court wrestled with the emotional
nature of whether the termination was in the best interest of
the children while also tackling the interesting question of
wh
-
In
re Allison G. (August 31, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect : Does the type of adjudication entered
by a juvenile court affect the resulting commitment of a child
to the Department of Children and Families ("Department") and
provide the Department with grounds to appeal the "basis" for
the commitment? No says the C
-
In
re Jeisean M. (July 27, 2004)
Connecticut Supreme Court
Abuse and Neglect : Important Supreme Court decision
affirming indigent appeal rights
-
In
re Jeisean M. (July 24, 2004)
Connecticut Supreme Court
Abuse and Neglect : Termination In a companion case to
the significant Supreme Court case of Jeisean M. (see Jeisean
M., 270 Conn. 406), the Supreme Court affirmed the termination
of parental rights of a mother who indulged in illegal substance
abuse and failed to adequately rehabilitat
-
In
re Kaurice B. (June 29, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect : In a short decision, the Connecticut
Appellate Court affirmed a trial court's order of temporary
custody ("OTC") involving a young girl. While the opinion is
factually based, two issues raised in the opinion are worth
noting. First, the court indicated t
-
In
re Kristy A. (June 8, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect, Guardianship : Termination of Parental
Rights The Appellate Court weighed in on a termination of parental
rights case by affirming a termination where issues of personal
rehabilitation and vagueness in statutory application were reviewed.
-
In
re Vanna A. (May 18, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect, Guardianship : Termination of Parental
Rights In another termination of parental rights case that focused
on the issue of personal rehabilitation, the Connecticut Appellate
Court affirmed a trial court's termination of rights on the
strong facts indicating failure to rehabilitate and a mother's
failu
-
In
re Samantha C. (April 27, 2004)
Connecticut Supreme Court
Guardianship, Abuse and Neglect : Termination of Parental
Rights Termination of parental rights case decided by state
supreme court - involves important issue of law of whether parents
are entitled to notice that a court may draw an adverse inference
from their failure to testify at trial.
-
In
re Ashley M. (March 16, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect : In a thoughtful, yet factually contrasting
opinion, the Appellate court affirmed the termination of a four
year old girl, Ashley, finding that the trial court had appropriately
found by clear and convincing evidence that Ashley's mother
had failed to achi
-
In
re Alexander T. (February 24, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect : The Connecticut Appellate Court affirmed
a trial court's judgment terminating a mother's parental rights
with respect to her two sons, Alexander T. and Elijah T. Although
affirming the lower decision, the appellate court addressed
each of the three argum
-
Ward
v. Greene (February 3, 2004)
Connecticut Supreme Court
Abuse and Neglect : The plaintiff, Patrice Ward, brought
this action on behalf of Raegan McBride against the defendant,
The Village for Families and Children, Inc ["Village"]. The
Village is a private, nonprofit organization...
-
In
re Haley B. (January 13, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect : Appeal after remand (see Haley B.,
262 Conn. 406 (2003)) where maternal grandmother of a child
in Department of Children and Families ("Department") seeks
custody of her grandchild...
-
In
re Travis R. (January 6, 2004)
Connecticut Appellate Court
Abuse and Neglect : The Appellate Court tackled the issue
of whether a respondent mother's claim that she was coerced
into consenting to the termination of her parental rights in
respect to her two minor children constituted grounds for opening
the termination judgments...
