Priscilla Ponder, Appellant v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and Minor Children, A.p., E.p., and J.p., Appellees

Summary

The court affirmed the circuit court’s orders granting permanent custody of the children to relatives because Ponder failed to provide a record sufficient to demonstrate that the placement findings were erroneous. Although dependency-neglect findings are reviewed de novo, reversal requires clear error, and the appellant bears the burden of bringing up a record showing error. The court also vacated the court of appeals’ opinion and deemed Ponder’s motion regarding tendered documents moot. Justice Hart, joined by Justice Danielson, dissented and would have reversed and remanded because the record did not show that the required best-interest evidence or notice had been provided at the placement hearing.