Case Name: IN the INTEREST OF Z.B., Minor Child. State of North Dakota, Petitioner and Appellee v. Z.B., a child; the Executive Director of the North Dakota Department of Human Services, Respondents and G.B., her father, Respondent and Appellant
Court: North Dakota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: North Dakota
Decision Date: 2018-01-22
Citations: 905 N.W.2d 561
Docket Number: No. 20170395
Parties: IN the INTEREST OF Z.B., Minor Child State of North Dakota, Petitioner and Appellee v. Z.B., a child; the Executive Director of the North Dakota Department of Human Services, Respondents and G.B., her father, Respondent and Appellant
Judges: [¶ 2] Gerald W. VandeWalle, C.J.
Reporter: North Western Reporter 2d
Volume: 905
Pages: 561–561

Head Matter:
2018 ND 6
IN the INTEREST OF Z.B., Minor Child State of North Dakota, Petitioner and Appellee v. Z.B., a child; the Executive Director of the North Dakota Department of Human Services, Respondents and G.B., her father, Respondent and Appellant
No. 20170395
Supreme Court of North Dakota.
Filed 1/22/2018.
James A. Hope, State’s Attorney, Dickinson, ND, for petitioner and appellee; submitted on brief.
Joseph L. Mrstik, Dickinson, ND, for respondent and appellant G.B.; submitted on brief.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
[¶ 1] G.B. appealed a juvenile court order terminating his parental rights in Z.B. On appeal, G.B, argues the juvenile court clearly erred in finding Z.B. was deprived, in foster care for 450 out of the previous 660 nights, G.B. abandoned Z.B., social services set unreasonable reunification goals, and the juvenile court abused its discretion in terminating G.B.'s parental rights. The juvenile court terminated G.B.'s parental rights based on findings of (1) deprivation, (2) abandonment, and (3) the number of nights spent by Z.B. in foster care exceeding 450 out of the previous 660 nights. Any one of these three findings -provides adequate and independent grounds for termination. Because the juvenile court's findings relating to deprivation and number of nights spent in foster care were not clearly erroneous,, we summarily affirm under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).,
[¶ 2] Gerald W. VandeWalle, C.J.
Daniel J. Crothers
Lisa Fair McEvers
Jon J. Jensen
Jerod E. Tufte