Opinion ID: 2423832
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Mother's Incarceration

Text: The Respondents argue that the Family Court erred by not considering the Mother's incarceration in its failure to plan analysis. Specifically, the Respondents argue that the Mother had only about one-half of the time that other parents are afforded to complete her case plan due to her wrongful incarceration. The record reflects that the Family Court was aware of the Mother's incarceration. The Family Court did not, however, rely on that fact in its failure to plan analysis. Instead, the Family Court relied on the Mother's financing and housing problems, substance abuse issues, and criminal history. As to Mother's visitation with Nathan, the Family Court found the Mother failed to attend visits even when she was not incarcerated. The Mother admitted that the prison in which she was incarcerated offered programs that her case plan required, and that she failed to take advantage of those opportunities. Although the Mother was incarcerated during a portion of the reunification effort, she demonstrated an inability to complete her case plan elements and discharge her parental responsibilities throughout the entire reunification process. Accordingly, the Respondents' first claim of error is without merit. [11]