IN RE WYATT LOGAN LAUSENG MINOR
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In the Matter of WYATT LOGAN LAUSENG,
Minor.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES,
UNPUBLISHED
September 1, 2009
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
No. 290804
St. Joseph Circuit Court
Family Division
LC No. 08-000783-NA
LAURA LEE MILLER,
Respondent-Appellant,
and
SCOTT KENNETH LAUSENG,
Respondent.
Before: M. J. Kelly, P.J., and K. F. Kelly and Shapiro, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Respondent Laura Miller appeals as of right from a circuit court order terminating her
parental rights to the minor child under MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) and (j). Because there were no
errors warranting relief, we affirm.
The trial court did not clearly err in finding that the statutory grounds for termination
were established by clear and convincing evidence. MCR 3.977(G)(3); In re Trejo, 462 Mich
341, 355; 612 NW2d 407 (2000). Respondent had a serious substance abuse problem that
prevented her from providing proper care and custody. Respondent left the county to attend a
substance abuse treatment program, but she resumed using drugs almost immediately upon her
discharge and announced that she had no intention of returning to the county to participate in
services. She had not been heard from, and the child had not seen her, for several months.
Further, the trial court did not clearly err in finding that termination of respondent’s
parental rights was in the child’s best interests. MCL 712A.19b(5). Respondent did nothing to
maintain the parent-child bond with her son despite the caseworker’s repeated attempts to
contact respondent and get her involved with services. The child deserved permanency and the
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opportunity to move on with his life. Thus, the trial court did not clearly err in terminating
respondent’s parental rights to the child.
Affirmed.
/s/ Michael J. Kelly
/s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly
/s/ Douglas B. Shapiro
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