Opinion ID: 1408398
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Propriety of Termination

Text: The Champagnes claim that there is no substantial evidence to support termination of their parental rights. There is. Both neglect and its mirror image, parental unfitness, are well-established in the record of this case. The Champagnes have police records involving narcotics, burglary, and child abuse. The children were frequently left unattended. Mr. Champagne, it appears, has an unbridled temper, particularly while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He also has been a chronic alcohol and substance abuser. A careful reading of this record discloses that by reason of the habits of the Champagnes' the children suffered serious and continued neglect. The record reveals parents who are unfit and who because of their unfitness and substantial neglect have become clearly unsuitable as parents. On the issue of abandonment, the record further shows that the Champagnes did not, although they were required to do so, support the children during the two years they were in state custody. This and the general course of conduct engaged in by the Champagnes supports the jurisdictional finding of abandonment in this case. A jurisdictional basis for termination can also be found in the Champagnes' failure to adjust in a timely fashion to a well-formulated case plan. In November, 1979, the welfare division entered into a service agreement with the parents. The state presented six witnesses, two juvenile court officers, three welfare division social workers and a mental health counselor, all had been involved in the effort to reunite the Champagnes with their children. All six of these witnesses testified that in the circumstances of this case they believed that termination of appellants' parental rights was in the best interest of the children. Ample jurisdictional grounds have been established for the termination order. Dispositional grounds are also well-established. We have here children who for years have had to put up with drunkenness and an unacceptable family life. The children have advised welfare workers that they want a new life and that they want a new mother and father that they can count on. I want a Mom and Dad like everyone else, one child was heard to say. Under these circumstances, we cannot say that the district judge abused his discretion in finding that the best interests of these children would be served by terminating parental rights. There is good cause appearing in the record to conclude that under no reasonable circumstances could the children's interests be served by sustaining the parental relationship. The termination order is therefore affirmed.