Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency

97.10 Dispositional alternatives 7B-903

In re E.C., COA05-218, Rick Croutharmel for appellant-mother.
Change in legal guardianship can occur only at a review of custody hearing, not a disposition hearing.
Slip Opinion

In re T.F.H. and S.F., COA05-819, Katharine Chester for appellant-custodian/aunt.
The trial court abused its discretion when it denied the children any further contact with their custodian-relatives and ceased reunification between the children and their custodian-relatives at disposition when this was not in the best interests of the children and when the court's conclusion that the children were neglected and dependent was based on the children being in the parents' home for 45 minutes without the custodial aunt's knowledge and the evidence showed the custodial aunt was providing a good home for the children.
Slip Opinion

In re J.W.B., COA05-1504, Rebekah W. Davis for appellant-mother.
Court exceeded authority by ordering joint physical custody of child to parent conditioned on cooperating with DSS and following orders of court
Slip Opinion

In re D.S.A., COA06-1190, Annick Lenoir-Peek for appellant-father.
The trial court erred in placing the infant in the custody of DSS when the parents were willing to place the child with family members. The trial court further erred in allowing visitation between the parents and the infant to be in DSS' discretion.
Slip Opinion