Opinion ID: 1375148
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Right of Child to Continued Association

Text: In the event the proceedings on remand result in a termination of Appellant's parental rights, the court should consider whether the child should have continued visitation with his mother and/or his siblings, notwithstanding the termination of rights. Previously, this Court recognized the need for continuing association between siblings or step-siblings following a parental rights termination in syllabus point four of James M.: In cases where there is a termination of parental rights, the circuit court should consider whether continued association with siblings in other placements is in the child's best interests, and if such continued association is in such child's best interests, the court should enter an appropriate order to preserve the rights of siblings to continued contact. 185 W.Va. at 649, 408 S.E.2d at 401. We recently extended this concept to include the possibility of visitation between the child and the parent whose rights have been terminated for abuse or neglect: When parental rights are terminated due to neglect or abuse, the circuit court may nevertheless in appropriate cases consider whether continued visitation or other contact with the abusing parent is in the best interest of the child. Among other things, the circuit court should consider whether a close emotional bond has been established between parent and child and the child's wishes, if he or she is of appropriate maturity to make such request. The evidence must indicate that such visitation or continued contact would not be detrimental to the child's well being and would be in the child's best interest. Christina L., ___ W.Va. at ___, 460 S.E .2d 692, 694 Syl. Pt. 5. Accordingly, in the event that Appellant's parental rights are re-terminated, the court may consider awarding visitation rights to her consistent with the considerations identified in Christina L. If the court eventually returns custody to Appellant, it should inquire into the relationship Jeffrey has formed with his foster parents and, if it is in his best interests, fashion a plan for continued association between the foster parents and the child. As we said in Honaker v. Burnside, 182 W.Va. 448, 388 S.E.2d 322 (1989), a child has a right to continued association with those to whom he has formed an emotional bond. Id. at 452-53, 388 S.E.2d at 325-26. Based on the foregoing, we hereby reverse the decision of the Circuit Court of Ohio County and remand this matter for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Reversed and remanded. BROTHERTON and RECHT, JJ., did not participate. FOX, J., sitting by temporary assignment.