Opinion ID: 1788353
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Children are neglected and in foster care.

Text: The district court also found that the children are neglected and in foster care within the meaning of Minn.Stat. § 260C.301, subd. 1(b)(8). Termination under this subdivision is appropriate if (1) the child is in foster care by court order; (2) the child's parents' circumstances, condition, or conduct are such that the child cannot be returned to them; and (3) the child's parents, despite the availability of needed rehabilitative services, have willfully failed to    meet reasonable expectations with regard to visiting the child or providing financial support for the child. Minn.Stat. § 260C.007, subd. 24 (2002). At issue in this case is whether the third criterion of this ground is met. The court of appeals concluded that this statutory ground was not satisfied because the county failed to present evidence on what expectations are reasonable regarding visitation and child support for a parent who is incarcerated. Such a formulaic approach is not necessary, however, in child protection cases. The question is whether a parent has failed to meet reasonable expectations with respect to visiting the child or providing financial support for the child. Id. The answer to that question can be answered by looking specifically at what actions a parent has taken and the circumstances in which a parent finds himself or herself. Here, appellant's own testimony provides proof that he fell completely short of meeting the reasonable expectations of the conduct and support a parent needs to provide to his or her child, whether in prison or at liberty. [4] Although the district court did not make specific findings on what reasonable efforts appellant could have taken, the district court properly found that the efforts made by appellant were not sufficient and did not meet the reasonable expectations element of Minn.Stat. § 260C.007, subd. 24(c). Accordingly, the district court did not err in concluding that the children were neglected and in foster care within the meaning of Minn.Stat. § 260C.301, subd. 1(b)(8).