IN RE BALOWSKI MINORS
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In the Matter of LAURA MARIE BALOWSKI,
AMANDA LYNN BALOWSKI, and KAYLA SUE
BALOWSKI, Minors.
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY,
UNPUBLISHED
May 22, 2001
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
No. 226493
Macomb Circuit Court
Family Division
LC No. 98-046267
GEORGE BALOWSKI,
Respondent-Appellant,
and
SUZANNE SEARS,
Respondent.
In the Matter of LAURA MARIE BALOWSKI,
AMANDA LYNN BALOWSKI, and KAYLA SUE
BALOWSKI, Minors.
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY,
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
No. 227524
Macomb Circuit Court
Family Division
LC No. 98-046267
SUZANNE SEARS,
Respondent-Appellant,
and
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GEORGE BALOWSKI,
Respondent.
Before: McDonald, P.J., and Smolenski and K. F. Kelly, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
In these consolidated appeals, respondents appeal as of right from a family court order
terminating their parental rights to the minor children pursuant to MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (g)
and (j); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3)(c)(i), (g) and (j). We affirm.
Although both respondents complied with some aspects of the parent/agency agreement,
we are not persuaded that the court clearly erred in finding that the statutory grounds for
termination were established by clear and convincing evidence. In re Trejo Minors, 462 Mich
341, 356-357; 612 NW2d 407 (2000). Further, we are not persuaded that the court clearly erred
in finding that the evidence did not show that termination of respondents’ parental rights was
clearly not in the children’s best interests. MCL 712A.19b(5); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(5); In re
Trejo Minors, supra at 354.
Next, we reject respondent Balowski’s claim that petitioner’s alleged failure to make
reasonable efforts to reunify the family warrants reversal. The alleged deficiencies did not
involve the principal issue that led to termination of Balowski’s parental rights, that being
Balowski’s failure to successfully address his substance abuse problem. Thus, this issue does not
provide a basis for relief.
Finally, we find no merit to respondent Balowski’s claim that the referee’s findings of
fact are deficient under MCR 5.974(G)(1) and (3). The record reveals that the referee identified
the statutory grounds for termination, discussed the evidence in support of those grounds, and
explained the reasons for the decision made, thereby satisfying the requirements of the court rule.
Affirmed.
/s/ Gary R. McDonald
/s/ Michael R. Smolenski
/s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly
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