IN RE BETHANY WESLEY MINOR
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In the Matter of BETHANY WESLEY, Minor.
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY,
UNPUBLISHED
September 18, 1998
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
No. 207624
Kent Juvenile Court
LC No. 96-034101 NA
TODD WESLEY,
Respondent-Appellant,
and
REBECCA WESLEY,
Respondent.
Before: Whitbeck, P.J., McDonald and T. G. Hicks*, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Respondent-appellant appeals as of right a juvenile court order terminating his parental rights to
his daughter under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3)(c)(i). We affirm.
First, the juvenile court did not clearly err in finding that the statutory ground for termination was
established by clear and convincing evidence. MCR 5.974(I); In re Miller, 433 Mich 331, 337; 445
NW2d 161 (1989). Immediately after the child’s return to respondent’s custody, the conditions
suitable to provide a stable environment for the child to develop sharply deteriorated, negating any
strides respondent may have made after the child was first taken into protective custody. The bruises
suggestive of child abuse found on the child’s face and upper body and respondent’s failure to obtain
and take the medication that helps him control his angry outbursts provide a firm basis for our decision.
* Circuit judge, sitting on the Court of Appeals by assignment.
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Second, because respondent-appellant failed to show that termination of his parental rights was
clearly not in the best interests of the child, the juvenile court did not err in terminating his parental rights.
MCL 712A.19b(5); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(5); In re Hall-Smith, 222 Mich App 470, 472; 564
NW2d 156 (1997). Respondent offered no evidence to meet his burden of showing that termination of
his parental rights would not be in the best interests of the child. To the contrary, the juvenile court
noted that, at the time it was writing its report, respondent had no job and indeed had been fired from
his last job for his angry outbursts.
Affirmed.
/s/ William C. Whitbeck
/s/ Gary R. McDonald
/s/ Timothy G. Hicks
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