IN RE MORRISON MINORS

 Annotate this Case
Download PDF
STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS In the Matter of CHRISTINA MORRISON, DUANE MORRISION and BRITTANY MORRISON, Minors. FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY, UNPUBLISHED November 30, 1999 Petitioner-Appellee, v No. 218691 Isabella Circuit Court Family Division LC No. 97-000099 NA EDWARD L. MORRISON, Respondent-Appellant. Before: Jansen, P.J., and Hoekstra and J. R. Cooper*, JJ. MEMORANDUM. Respondent appeals as of right from a family court order terminating his parental rights to the minor children under MCL 712A.19b(3)(g) and (h); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(3)(g) and (h). We affirm. The family 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 Miller, 433 Mich 331, 337; 445 NW2d 161 (1989). The court properly found that termination was warranted under §§ 19b(3)(g) and (h), given both the length of respondent’s incarceration and respondent’s lack of progress with his treatment plan before being incarcerated. The court also did not err in its evaluation of the children’s best interests. The court’s reference to the national model statute for termination of parental rights in conjunction with its findings on the children’s best interests does not reflect any improper considerations. In any event, the burden was on respondent to come forward with evidence that termination of his parental rights was clearly not in the children’s best interests. MCL 712A.19b(5); MSA 27.3178(598.19b)(5); In re Hall-Smith, 222 * Circuit judge, sitting on the Court of Appeals by assignment. -1­ Mich App 470, 472-473; 564 NW2d 156 (1997). Because respondent failed to come forward with evidence on this issue, the court had no discretion and was required to terminate his parental rights. Id. at 472-473. Affirmed. /s/ Kathleen Jansen /s/ Joel P. Hoekstra /s/ Jessica R. Cooper -2­

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.