Opinion ID: 2581080
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Alaska Statute 47.10.080(o)

Text: The superior court found that termination of Stanley's parental rights was authorized under AS 47.10.080( o ). It noted that [n]o party disputes that [Stanley's six-year] incarceration is significant for purposes of AS 47.10.080( o )(1). It found that the termination of Belinda's parental rights satisfied AS 47.10.080( o )(2). Additionally, it found that Stanley had the burden to make adequate provisions for care of the child, despite the fact that his children were in DFYS custody when he most recently returned to jail. The court found that Stanley failed to meet the burden of making adequate provisions. Stanley disputes the superior court's interpretation of AS 47.10.080( o ), arguing that he had no authority to make adequate provisions for care of his children because they were in DFYS custody at the time of his November 2001 arrest and subsequent incarceration. The superior court correctly interpreted AS 47.10.080( o )(3). The statute obligates the incarcerated parent  not the state  to arrange for the children's care. Stanley's burden was not relieved by the fact that his children were in DFYS custody when he returned to jail. As the state argues, the statute is not intended to give parents whose children are already in state custody when they are incarcerated an advantage over parents whose children are in their own custody when they are incarcerated. Although the state should not disadvantage an incarcerated parent by blocking his efforts to make adequate provisions for his children, it is not obligated to make those provisions for him. Stanley provided DFYS with the names of several relatives and friends with whom he wanted the children placed. The superior court found that DFYS had made more than reasonable efforts to consider Stanley's stated preferences. Having reviewed the record, we agree. Because none of Stanley's placement options was facially adequate, the conditions for termination under AS 47.10.080( o ) were met.