IN RE PRINCE MINORS
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In the Matter of JEREMY PRINCE, MATTHEW
PRINCE, MARK PRINCE and MICHAEL
PRINCE, Minors
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY, f/k/a
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES,
UNPUBLISHED
June 24, 1997
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
No. 198971
Muskegon Probate Court
LC No. 91-018342-NA
DIANE MICHELLE PRINCE,
Respondent-Appellant.
Before: Gage, P.J., and Reilly and Hoekstra, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Respondent appeals as of right from the probate court order terminating her parental rights to
the minor children under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (g) and (j); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3)(c)(i), (g)
and (j). We affirm.
Respondent contends that the probate court erred by restricting evidence to events which
occurred prior to the date when the petition seeking terminating was filed. However, the probate
court’s remarks reveal only that it instructed the attorneys to reexamine the relevancy of the evidence
being introduced in light of the allegations in the petition and that it would expect objections if irrelevant
evidence is introduced. Moreover, the record establishes that evidence on post-petition events was, in
fact, introduced after the probate court’s remarks. Under these circumstances, we hold that this
evidentiary issue was not preserved for appeal because respondent failed to make an offer of proof on
the substance or relevancy of any other evidence that she now believes should have been presented.
Orlich v Buxton, 22 Mich App 96, 100; 177 NW2d 184 (1970).
Further, we are not persuaded that any plain error warranting relief has been demonstrated.
People v Grant, 445 Mich 535; 520 NW2d 123 (1994). Although the probate court may receive all
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relevant and material evidence, MCR 5.974(F)(2), the court’s written opinion on termination makes it
clear that the evidence introduced relative to post-petition events would not affect its findings on
whether respondent is now, or will later be, able to parent the children. We hold that the probate court
did not clearly err in finding that the statutory grounds for termination in §§ 3(c)(i) and 3(g) of MCL
712A.19b(3); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3) were established by clear and convincing evidence, even
when the evidence introduced on post-petition events is considered. MCR 5.974(I); In re Miller, 433
Mich 331, 337; 445 NW2d 161 (1989). In view thereof, we find it unnecessary to consider
respondent’s arguments concerning subsection (j) because they are not outcome determinative. In re
Hildebrant, 216 Mich App 384, 389; 548 NW2d 715 (1996). Only one statutory ground for
termination must be met by clear and convincing evidence. In re Jackson, 199 Mich App 22, 25; 501
NW2d 182 (1993). Further, we find no clear error in the probate court’s ultimate decision to order
termination. MCL 712A.19b(5); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(5); In re Hall-Smith, ___ Mich App ___ ;
___ NW2d ___ (Docket No. 195833, issued 3/25/97).
Affirmed.
/s/ Hilda R. Gage
/s/ Maureen Pulte Reilly
/s/ Joel P. Hoekstra
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