Interest of K.S.D.

H.L.K. (now known as H.G.), appealed an order denying her motion to withdraw her consent to terminate her parental rights to her children K.S.D. and J.S.D. The juvenile court found the mother executed consent to the termination of her parental rights, she was questioned about the consent by the court, the court acknowledged her consent, and she did not participate in subsequent proceedings. The court also found proof beyond a reasonable doubt established the father’s parental rights should be terminated, the children were deprived, the deprivation was likely to continue, the children were suffering or would probably suffer harm, the children had been in foster care for at least 450 of the previous 660 nights, and active efforts were made to prevent the breakup of the family. The mother argued withdrawing her consent was in the children’s best interests, the children had not been adopted, and they should be returned to her custody. The State opposed the motion. The court found the mother consented to termination of her parental rights and she failed to establish her consent was statutorily deficient. The court concluded the mother’s motion was untimely under N.D.C.C. 27-20-45(6) because she did not move to withdraw her consent within thirty days after the order terminating her parental rights was issued. The court also concluded the mother failed to establish her consent was obtained by fraud or coercion. The North Dakota Supreme Court concurred with the juvenile court's conclusion H.G.’s motion to withdraw her consent was untimely under N.D.C.C. 27-20-45(6). View "Interest of K.S.D." on Justia Law