Court Opinion

ID: 9603574
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 02:08:01.524515+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:12.979032
License: Public Domain

URBIGKIT, Justice,
specially concurring.
I concur with the decision of this court, but write further to consider the fundamental principles involved. The familial right of both the parent and child is a fundamental liberty interest protected by state and federal constitutions. DS and RS v. Department of Public Assistance & Social Services, 607 P.2d 911 (Wyo.1980). Of countervailing interest in societal concern is the more demanding decision to define and protect the best interest of the child. In the Interest of JL, 761 P.2d 985 (Wyo.1988).
This court has said “that the best-interest language must be read in para materia with the abuse, neglect or abandonment standard.” And then said: “This means, for example, that if the State seeks to terminate parental rights because of neglect, the State must show that the interests of the child require termination of the parental rights in order to protect the child from neglect.” DS and RS, 607 P.2d at 917. This is also the reason that efforts at rehabilitation and its failure becomes a significant “best interest” inquiry in termination hearing. In Interest of J.G., 742 P.2d 770 (Wyo.1987). Evidence of abuse is a subject subsumed within the best interest determination as the basic decision to be made by the court. TR v. Washakie County Dept. of Public Assistance and Social Services, 736 P.2d 712 (Wyo.1987).
In the detail of this unhappy family experience, the best interest of the child standard clearly and persuasively justified termination. In the Interest of JL, 761 P.2d 985 (Wyo.1988); Matter of MLM, 682 P.2d 982 (Wyo.1984).