Opinion ID: 2011173
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Statutory Factors.

Text: We conclude, on the basis of the foregoing discussion, that the trial judge's ultimate findingsnamely, that the father is a fit parent and that it is in M.D., Jr.'s best interest to be reunited with himhave been significantly undermined by a misapprehension as to the legal consequences of the indecent liberties conviction, as to the legal significance of the acts and omissions of the agencies, and as to the weight to be accorded to the expert testimony. We must now consider the application to the judge's evidentiary findings of the relevant legal standards. Our TPR statute sets forth a number of specific criteria which the court must apply in determining the best interests of the child. See D.C.Code § 16-2353(b) (1989). We have held that these statutory standards also may logically be applied to adoption proceedings contested by one or both of a child's biological parents. In re D.R.M., 570 A.2d 796, 802-03 (D.C.1990); L.W., supra, 613 A.2d at 356 n. 14. [21] Parental rights may be terminated only if the judge finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that termination is in the best interest of the child. I.B., supra, 631 A.2d at 1230. The clear and convincing standard of proof also applies to a contested adoption. A.C., supra, 597 A.2d at 926. We address the statutory factors in turn.