In re M.B.
Annotate this CaseThe Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Department) filed a petition to terminate the parental rights of the Mother and Father of two minor children. After a termination hearing, the district court found the Department had made diligent and reasonable efforts to rehabilitate and reunify the family but that termination of parental rights as to both parents was in the best interests of the children. Both parents appealed. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) the district court did not violate the parents' due process rights by issuing an order terminating their parental rights before receiving their post-trial briefs and by admitting into evidence statements that one of the parents' children made to the court without counsel for the parents being present; and (2) the evidence was sufficient to prove that the parents were unfit and that termination of parental rights was in the best interests of the children.
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