IN RE SMITH/WARD MINORS
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
In the Matter of BRADLEY BRUCE WARD, JR.,
Minor.
FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY,
UNPUBLISHED
November 25, 2003
Petitioner-Appellee,
v
No. 246170
Wayne Circuit Court
Family Division
LC No. 98-369993
BRADLEY BRUCE WARD, SR.,
Respondent-Appellant,
and
DARNESHA MARIE SMITH,
Respondent.
Before: Cooper, P.J., and Markey and Meter, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Respondent-appellant appeals as of right from the trial court order terminating his
parental rights to the minor child under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (g), and (j). We affirm. This
case is being decided without oral argument pursuant to MCR 7.214(E).
The trial court did not clearly err in finding that the statutory grounds for termination
were established by clear and convincing evidence. MCR 3.977(J); In re Miller, 433 Mich 331,
337; 445 NW2d 161 (1989). Respondent-appellant had been in prison for most of Bradley, Jr.’s
life. Respondent-appellant was twice convicted of criminal sexual conduct against vulnerable
victims, including his daughter. At the time of the permanent custody hearing, respondentappellant was serving a five to twenty-five year prison term for assault with intent to commit
great bodily harm less than murder. This evidence of respondent-appellant’s abusive and violent
conduct supported the trial court’s decision.
Furthermore, the evidence failed to show that termination of respondent-appellant’s
parental rights was clearly not in the child’s best interests. MCL 712A.19b(5); In re Trejo
-1-
Minors, 462 Mich 341, 364-365; 612 NW2d 407 (2000). Thus, the trial court did not err in
terminating respondent-appellant’s parental rights to the child.
Affirmed.
/s/ Jessica R. Cooper
/s/ Jane E. Markey
/s/ Patrick M. Meter
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