IN RE BOBBY LOWERISE HENDERSON MINOR
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In the Matter of
HENDERSON, Minor.
BOBBY
LOWERISE
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY,
UNPUBLISHED
October 22, 1999
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
MARY A. JONES,
No. 210114
Wayne Juvenile Court
LC No. 91-295785
Respondent-Appellant.
Before: Whitbeck, P.J., and Gribbs and White, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Respondent appeals as of right from an order terminating her parental rights to the minor child
under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (g) and (j); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3)(c)(i), (g) and (j). We affirm.
We reject respondent’s constitutional challenges to the dispositional hearing procedure, which
allows the court, after assuming jurisdiction over the matter, to terminate parental rights without a jury
trial and without all of the procedural safeguards that normally accompany it. “The requirements of due
process do not prevent the admission of hearsay testimony as long as the evidence is fair, reliable and
trustworthy.” In re Ovalle, 140 Mich App 79, 82; 363 NW2d 731 (1985). Respondent has not
shown that the evidence admitted in this case was other than fair, reliable or trustworthy. Further, MCR
5.974(A)(3), which provides that there is no right to a jury determination at a proceeding to terminate
parental rights, is constitutional. Cf. In re Colon, 144 Mich App 805, 816-819; 377 NW2d 321
(1985).
Next, we find no merit to respondent’s claims that the Family Independence Agency failed to
make reasonable efforts to reunite her with her child, or that the court clearly erred in finding
that the statutory grounds for termination were established by clear and convincing evidence. MCR
5.974(I); In re Miller, 433 Mich 331, 337; 445 NW2d 161 (1989).
Affirmed.
/s/ William C. Whitbeck
/s/ Roman S. Gribbs
/s/ Helene N. White
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