Opinion ID: 4245110
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Adjudicatory Order

Text: The father asserts that the DHHR failed to present clear and convincing evidence of abuse and neglect regarding his conduct toward the children, and, therefore, the December 14, 2016, adjudicatory order must be reversed. See W.Va. Code, 49-4-601(i) [2015] (In adjudicating a child to be abused and neglected by a parent, the evidence must be clear and convincing.). The father’s assertion is twofold: The domestic violence incident of October 5, 2015, (which the father also denies took place) did not occur in the presence of his stepchild, M. C. Or, if it did occur in M. C.’s presence, that one incident, which was not seen by the father’s three biological children, was insufficient to adjudicate him an abusing and neglectful parent. The terms “abusing parent” and “abused child” are defined in W.Va. Code, 49-1-201 [2015]. An “abusing parent” is simply a parent, guardian or other custodian whose conduct has been adjudicated to constitute child abuse or neglect. The term “abused child” is defined, in relevant part, as a child whose health and welfare is being harmed or threatened by: (A) A parent, guardian or custodian who knowingly or intentionally inflicts, attempts to inflict or knowingly allows another person to inflict, physical injury or mental or emotional injury, upon the child or another child in the home. Physical injury may include an injury to the child as a result of excessive corporal punishment; [or]