Matthew H., Appellant v. State of Alaska, Department of Health & Social Services, Office of Children’s Services…

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed termination of Matthew H.'s parental rights because the superior court did not clearly err in finding that he failed to remedy the mental-health conditions that were the root cause of the danger to his daughter. The court also held that denying his request to discharge appointed counsel and proceed pro se shortly before a lengthy termination trial was not an abuse of discretion because self-representation would have delayed the proceeding and conflicted with the children's need for permanency.