In Re Danielle V., et al.

This appeal concerns termination of parental rights. The Tennessee Department of
Children’s Services (“DCS”) filed a petition in the Circuit Court for Gibson County (“the
Trial Court”) seeking to terminate the parental rights of Kristie C. (“Mother”), Jose O.
(“Father”), Jose H., and Giovani C. to the minor children D.V., G.V., J.C., H.V., K.O.,
A.V., C.O., and R.V. (“the Children,” collectively). After a hearing, the Trial Court
entered an order terminating Mother’s and Father’s parental rights to the Children based
on the ground of severe child abuse. The Trial Court found further that termination of
Mother’s and Father’s parental rights is in the Children’s best interest. Mother and Father
appeal. While conceding the ground of severe child abuse, they argue that the Trial Court
erred in its best interest analysis, which they say was inadequate. We find, as did the Trial
Court, that the ground of severe child abuse was proven against Mother and Father by clear
and convincing evidence. In addition, we find that the Trial Court’s findings of fact were
sufficient to underpin its best interest analysis, and that the evidence is clear and convincing
that termination of Mother’s and Father’s parental rights is in the Children’s best interest.
We affirm.