Jimmy E. v. State of Alaska, Department of Health & Social Services, Office of Children's Services, Allie P. v…

Summary

The court held that Jimmy provided sufficient information to give OCS and the superior court a reason to know that his two younger children might be Indian children under ICWA, triggering OCS’s duty to conduct a diligent tribal inquiry. Because the record did not establish that OCS followed up on Jimmy’s specific CIRI-related information or adequately documented its earlier inquiries, the court vacated the termination of parental rights as to the two younger children and remanded. The court affirmed termination of Allie’s parental rights to the two older children, concluding that the findings concerning substance abuse, failure to remedy, reasonable reunification efforts, and the children’s best interests were adequately supported.