IN RE SNOWDEN MINOR

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STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS In the Matter of NANCY SNOWDEN, Minor. FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY, UNPUBLISHED November 6, 1998 Petitioner-Appellee, v No. 206411 Wayne Juvenile Court LC No. 86-254805 NANCY SNOWDEN, Respondent-Appellant, and JAMES GHOLSTON, Respondent. Before: Young Jr., P.J., and Wahls and Jansen, JJ. MEMORANDUM. Respondent Nancy Snowden appeals as of right from a juvenile court order terminating her parental rights to the minor child pursuant to MCL 712A.19b(3)(b)(i), (c)(i), (g) and (i); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3)(b)(i), (c)(i), (g) and (i). We affirm. The juvenile court did not clearly err in finding that the statutory grounds for termination were established by clear and convincing evidence. MCL 5.974(I); In re Miller, 433 Mich 331, 337; 445 NW2d 161 (1989); In re Hall-Smith, 222 Mich App 470; 564 NW2d 156 (1997). Additionally, we are satisfied that the juvenile court did not impermissibly shift the burden of proof to respondent on this issue. Once a statutory ground for termination has been established, the juvenile court “shall order termination of parental rights . . . unless the court finds that termination of parental rights to the child is -1­ clearly not in the child’s best interests.” MCL 712A.19b(5); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(5). The burden is on the respondent to put forth evidence that termination is clearly not in the child’s best interest. In re Hall-Smith, supra at 473. Here, respondent failed to put forth any evidence from which the juvenile court could conclude that termination was clearly not in the minor child’s best interests. Hence the juvenile court did not err in terminating respondent’s parental rights to the child. Affirmed. /s/ Robert P. Young, Jr. /s/ Myron H. Wahls /s/ Kathleen Jansen -2­

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