Court Opinion

ID: 9741296
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:52:54.372214+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:23.292863
License: Public Domain

Krivosha, C.J.,
dissenting.
I continue to believe that we are using “overkill” in these cases coming before us involving the termination of parental rights. While we concede that before parental rights may be terminated there must be clear and convincing evidence to support the need for such drastic action, we nevertheless continue to terminate rights on evidence which I believe to be less than clear and convincing. See, dissent of Krivosha, C.J., In re Interest of Goodon, ante p. 256, 303 N.W.2d 278 (1981); In re Interest of Cook, ante p. 549, 304 N.W.2d 390 (1981).
As noted by the majority in this case: “The evidence for the State established that the appellant had failed to make any child support payments, had failed to attend parenting classes, did not obtain adequate housing independent from his sister, and had failed and refused to cooperate with the court services officer.” While, to be sure, the failure of appellant to pay child support is not worthy of praise and requires the court to take appropriate action, the failings of the appellant herein *760appear to be not dissimilar to those of others found within our society whose parental rights are not terminated.
Moreover, appellant’s failure to attend parenting classes and his failure and refusal to cooperate with a court service officer may be contrary to the court’s order. The record, however, fails to disclose how that failure has in fact affected the child. Finally, I am unable to ascertain what error was committed by the appellant sufficient to terminate parental rights by reason of his failing to obtain adequate housing independent from his sister. I know of no rule of law or reason which suggests that a child is adversely affected by living with other members of the family so long as such housing is adequate for all.
The record does support the view that the appellant could perform better as a parent and that the child probably will be better cared for by another family with greater education and income. That, however, is not the criteria which we should use in terminating parental rights. I would have continued to supervise the care of the child but would not have terminated parental rights.