IN RE MEEKS/THOMAS MINORS
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In the Matter of J.A., Minor.
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY,
UNPUBLISHED
June 12, 2003
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
No. 243170
Berrien Circuit Court
Family Division
LC No. 01-000015-NA
LYDIA M. JONES,
Respondent-Appellant,
and
DEMETRIUS ALLISON,
Respondent.
In the Matter of G.M. and T.T., JR., Minors.
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY,
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
No. 243185
LC No. 99-000106-NA
LYDIA M. JONES,
Respondent-Appellant,
and
TIMOTHY THOMAS and JOHN MEEKS,
Respondents.
-1-
Before: Smolenski, P.J., and Cooper and Fort Hood, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Respondent-appellant appeals as of right from the trial court order terminating her
parental rights to the minor children under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (c)(ii), (g), and (j). We
affirm.
The trial court did not clearly err in finding that § § 19b(3)(c)(ii), (g), and (j) were
established by clear and convincing evidence. MCR 5.974(I); In re Sours, 459 Mich 624, 633;
593 NW2d 520 (1999); In re Miller, 433 Mich 331, 337; 445 NW2d 161 (1989). The evidence
established that respondent-appellant remained in a severely abusive relationship with J.A.’s
father and gave birth to another child that he fathered while the children remained in relative
placements. In addition, respondent-appellant admitted having intercourse with J.A.’s father a
few weeks before the termination hearing concluded. The record was replete with evidence
regarding the harmful effects of the domestic violence on the children.
Further, because at least one ground for termination was established, the trial court was
required to terminate respondent-appellant’s parental rights unless it found that termination was
clearly not in the children’s best interests. MCL 712A.19b(5); In re Trejo, 462 Mich 341, 356357, 364-365; 612 NW2d 407 (2000). The trial court’s finding regarding the children’s best
interests was not clearly erroneous. Trejo, supra.
Affirmed.
/s/ Michael R. Smolenski
/s/ Jessica R. Cooper
/s/ Karen M. Fort Hood
-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.
