IN RE MCDOUGALL MINORS
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In the Matter of ANGELA MCDOUGALL, BRYAN
MCDOUGALL, CHRISTINA MCDOUGALL, and
VERNON MCDOUGALL, Minors
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY,
UNPUBLISHED
May 1, 1998
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
No. 204163
Washtenaw Juvenile Court
LC No. 93-021523 NA
VERNON MCDOUGALL,
Respondent-Appellant,
and
ANGELA LAWSON,
Respondent.
Before: Hood, P.J., and Markman and Talbot, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Respondent-appellant appeals as of right from the juvenile court’s order terminating his parental
rights to four of his children under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (c)(ii) and (g); MSA
27.3178(598.19b)(3)(c)(i), (c)(ii) and (g). We affirm.
The juvenile court did not clearly err in finding that the statutory grounds for termination were
established by clear and convincing evidence. MCR 5.974(I). In re Hall-Smith, 222 Mich App 470,
472; 564 NW2d 156 (1997). Respondent was unable to rectify the conditions that led to adjudication.
He failed to successfully complete a substance abuse treatment program1; admitted that he had
“slipped” several times with regard to alcohol abstinence in the year preceding trial; and failed to
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maintain stable employment or secure suitable housing. Moreover, based on the record, it was not clear
error for the trial court to find that there was no reasonable likelihood that respondent would be able to
rectify these conditions, or be able to provide proper care and custody for the children within a
reasonable amount of time.
This case is distinguishable from In re Newman, 189 Mich App 61; 472 NW2d 38 (1991). In
Newman, this Court found that “[i]t was not shown that after being given consistent assistance [the
respondents] still did not rectify the conditions.” Id. at 67-68. Here, respondent was provided with
ample opportunity and assistance to rectify the conditions that led to adjudication, but failed to do so.
Affirmed.
/s/ Harold Hood
/s/ Stephen J. Markman
/s/ Michael J. Talbot
1
Although respondent apparently completed a twenty-eight day in-patient program, he failed to finish
the required aftercare.
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