Opinion ID: 2273628
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Stuart's petition for guardianship

Text: In denying Stuart's petition for guardianship, the Family Court again applied the eight factors set forth by § 722(a) to the facts of this case. The Family Court's decision was supported by Stuart's mental health history and lack of financial resources. Under the first of eight factors set forth by § 722(a), Mother supported either guardianship petition if she could not regain custody of the children. The second factor was gauged not by the children's wishes, but by their conduct. Neither child had seen the guardianship petitioners in the prior eleven consecutive months. There was testimony that the children had bonded to their current caregiver who wished to adopt them and that neither child had asked for or about either petitioner. As for the third factor, the petitioners had a low level of interaction with the children during their visitations. Regarding the fourth factor, the testimony was that both children had transitioned well into their pre-adoptive placement and were thriving. The children had become attached to their foster mother and her extended family, had play dates with extended family, Ny'Aire had begun to take ballet classes, and the foster mother wished to adopt both children. The Family Court held that the fifth factor, concerning the mental and physical health of all interested parties, weighed against Stuart. Stuart was diagnosed with a mental incapacity and had a mental health history involving a spiritual battle for which she received mental health treatment and Social Security benefits. As for the sixth factor, which concerns the past and present compliance of a parent's rights and responsibilities to their children, the Family Court noted that Stuart had past charges involving failure or refusal to send her child to school. Regarding the seventh factor, the record does not reflect any history of domestic violence regarding either petitioner. Finally, as for the eighth factor, which concerns the criminal history of any party, Stuart was found guilty of refusing to send her child to school, and could not recall the final resolution of a carry a concealed deadly weapon charge. Stuart has not shown that the findings of fact are clearly wrong. The Family Court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Stuart's petition for guardianship.