IN RE GIBSON/KING MINORS

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STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS In the Matter of JACOB ELIJAH KING, CHRISTOPHER LEE KING, SHANTE’ KIARA GIBSON, DAVID JAMAR GIBSON, JR., LE’ANDRA KA’SHARAE GIBSON, and KENYATTA LASHAWN GIBSON, Minors. FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY, UNPUBLISHED January 13, 2004 Petitioner-Appellee, V No. 240528 Wayne Circuit Court Family Division LC No. 99-385251 DAVID EARL KING, Respondent-Appellant. Before: Donofrio, P.J., and Griffin and Jansen, JJ. MEMORANDUM. Respondent appeals by delayed leave granted from the trial court order terminating his parental rights to the minor children under MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i), (g), and (j). Respondent’s wife, Sharon King, shouldered the complete task of raising respondent’s six children. Respondent’s lack of support and assistance rendered the familial situation unsuitable necessitating petitioner’s involvement on December 21, 1999. Sharon King died on April 6, 2000. A statutory ground for termination was established by clear and convincing evidence. MCL 712A.19b(3). Because respondent had not rectified any of the conditions that led to adjudication, there was no likelihood of him doing so within a reasonable time, and the record evidence did not show that termination of respondent’s parental rights was clearly not in the children’s best interests, we affirm. This case is being decided without oral argument pursuant to MCR 7.214(E). In his statement of issues presented and brief, respondent does not object to termination under MCL 712A.19b(3)(j). Therefore, this issue is waived. That statutory ground alone is adequate to support termination. In re Powers Minors, 244 Mich App 111, 118; 624 NW2d 472 (2000). There was clear and convincing evidence to support this statutory ground. Respondent had failed to provide suitable housing for the children and did not have stable employment, which was a contributing factor. He did not acknowledge his domestic violence towards the children’s deceased mother. Respondent was described as lacking some of the basic capabilities -1- necessary to parent six children, and he certainly did not have adequate resources. The testimony also did not suggest the situation would improve with more time. There was a risk of harm if the children were returned to him. A review of the record indicates the other statutory grounds were also supported by clear and convincing evidence. Therefore, the trial court did not clearly err in finding that the statutory grounds for termination were established by clear and convincing evidence. In re Miller, 433 Mich 331,337; 445 NW2d 161 (1989). The record evidence did not show that termination of respondent’s parental rights was clearly not in the children’s best interests. MCL 712A.19b(5); In re Trejo, 462 Mich 341, 356357; 612 NW2d 407 (2000). The trial court did not err in terminating respondent’s parental rights to the children. Affirmed. /s/ Pat M. Donofrio /s/ Richard A. Griffin /s/ Kathleen Jansen -2-

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