Opinion ID: 1678618
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: In awarding custody, the court must consider the best interests of the child in respect to temporal, mental, and moral welfare. SDCL 30-27-19. The court found that Roland was better able to provide for each of these needs. The court based this finding on evidence that Roland provided better for Ralandi's physical and social needs and that her behavior was better adjusted while in his care. The finding was also based, in part, on Ralandi's exposure to the affair between Lou Anne and Sterk. While marital misconduct does not make one an unfit parent, evidence that the misconduct has a harmful effect on the child will be considered. SDCL 25-4-45.1; Haak, supra; Madson v. Madson, 313 N.W.2d 42 (S.D.1981); Hanks v. Hanks, 296 N.W.2d 523 (S.D.1980). The trial court found that Ralandi's exposure to this relationship had and would continue to have a harmful effect on her. There is sufficient evidence in the record to support these findings and we are not convinced that a mistake was made. Hilbrands, supra .