IN RE ROBERT STARRETT MINOR
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In the Matter of J.S., J.S., and R.S., Minors.
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY,
UNPUBLISHED
August 20, 2002
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
Nos. 238951, 238952, 238953
Cass Circuit Court
Family Division
LC Nos. 00-000283-NA,
00-000284-NA,
00-000285-NA
ROBERT C. GUNTLE, JR.,
Respondent-Appellant,
and
ELAINE STARRETT,
Respondent.
Before: White, P.J., and Neff and Jansen, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Respondent-appellant appeals as of right the trial court orders, terminating his parental
rights to his minor children pursuant to MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (g), and (j). We affirm. This
appeal is being decided without oral argument pursuant to MCR 7.214(E).
The trial court did not err 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). Further, the evidence did not show that termination of respondent’s
parental rights was clearly not in the best interests of the children. MCL 712A.19b(5); In re
Trejo, 462 Mich 341, 356-357; 612 NW2d 407 (2000).
We further find that the trial court’s decision to terminate respondent-appellant’s parental
rights did not violate the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), 25 USC 1901 et
seq. Contrary to respondent-appellant’s contention, the determination to terminate his parental
rights was supported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that continued custody with
respondent-appellant would result in serious emotional or physical damage to the children. The
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trial court therefore did not err in terminating respondent-appellant’s parental rights to the
children.
Affirmed.
/s/ Helene N. White
/s/ Janet T. Neff
/s/ Kathleen Jansen
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