Grace L., Appellant v. State of Alaska, Department of Health & Social Services, Office of Children's Services, Appellee

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed the termination of Grace L.'s parental rights, holding that the superior court's findings regarding the child's need for aid, Grace's failure to remedy the conditions placing him at risk, likely serious harm, OCS's active reunification efforts, and the child's best interests were adequately supported. The court also rejected Grace's judicial-disqualification and ineffective-assistance arguments because she showed neither prejudicial error nor plain error. Justice Stowers, dissenting in part, would have reversed and remanded because OCS did not make the active efforts required to address Grace's delusional disorder through psychiatric assessment, medication evaluation, and properly monitored therapy.