Opinion ID: 3009297
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Child Protection Matter

Text: [¶17] Pursuant to the chapter of Title 22 that governs child protection proceedings, “[o]rders entered under this chapter under sections other than section 4035, 4054 or 4071 are interlocutory and are not appealable.” 22 M.R.S. § 4006 (2014). Because of this statutory provision crafted by the Legislature, we do not apply “the traditional judge-made exceptions to the final judgment rule” in child protection cases “absent any constitutional infirmity in the statute.” In re L.R., 2014 ME 95, ¶ 9, 97 A.3d 602. [¶18] C.L. does not raise any constitutional infirmity in the child protection statute. He contends only that the court misapplied the common law de facto parent doctrine. Accordingly, the appeal from the judgment in the child protection matter is interlocutory, and we dismiss it.3 See 22 M.R.S. § 4006; In re L.R., 2014 ME 95, ¶ 9, 97 A.3d 602.