Opinion ID: 1986881
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Lack of family support

Text: The trial court found a lack of family support for `Mother' in caring for the needs of `The Twins.' A lack of extended family support cannot support a termination of Mother's parental rights without specific evidence that the lack of such support renders Mother unable to care for her children. While the evidence as to how much support Mother can expect to receive from extended family is contested, there is no evidence that the support Mother will receive will be any different than the support she received for her other children. There is evidence that, with substantial help from her extended family, Mother has reared her other children in a loving, supportive environment, free from abuse or neglect. For example, despite financial hardship and inconvenience, Mother placed one of her children in a private school more than 25 miles away from her home because she thought it best for that child. A school official there described Mother as a very engaged and interested parent who gave more to the school than many of the school's two parent families. For her other children, Mother received help from family to register the other children for school in Ladue, Missouri, because it is reputed to be an excellent district. Mother and her family also tend to the children's extra-curricular interests by arranging for them to participate in soccer, swimming, gymnastics, cub scouts, fishing and camping. The trial court's finding of a lack of family support is not supported by clear, cogent and convincing evidence. Even if it were, a lack of family support is not evidence that instantly tilts the scales in favor of termination without additional evidence as to the necessity of the family support. Therefore, this finding does not support termination of Mother's parental rights.