Monica Contreras, Appellant v. Arkansas Department of Human Services; Christine Williams; and J.g., a Minor Child…

Summary

The court held that the evidence supported declining to return J.G. to Contreras immediately because returning him was not then in his best interest. But the circuit court lacked sufficient evidence to reject a reunification plan requiring return within three months, particularly because Contreras was complying with the case plan and making significant progress. The court therefore reversed the permanent-custody and closure orders and remanded for further proceedings, while vacating the court of appeals’ opinion. Justice Danielson, joined by Chief Justice Hannah and Justice Corbin, dissented and would have affirmed because the record did not leave him with a definite and firm conviction that the circuit court erred.