Opinion ID: 889757
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶ 26 We review for an abuse of discretion a district court's termination of parental rights. In re J.M., 2009 MT 332, ¶ 12, 353 Mont. 64, 218 P.3d 1213. A district court abuses its discretion when it acts arbitrarily, without employment of conscientious judgment, or exceeds the bounds of reason resulting in substantial injustice. Id. ¶ 27 The district court must protect a parent's fundamental right to the care and custody of a child through fundamentally fair procedures. In re D.B., 2007 MT 246, ¶ 17, 339 Mont. 240, 168 P.3d 691. The State must present clear and convincing evidence that the statutory circumstances allowing the court to terminate parental rights exist. Id. at ¶ 18. The district court must address adequately each applicable statutory requirement before terminating parental rights. Id. at ¶ 17. We review for clear error the district court's findings of fact regarding the statutory criteria. In re A.J.E., 2006 MT 41, ¶ 21, 331 Mont. 198, 130 P.3d 612.