Brandon Martin, Appellant v. Arkansas Department of Human Services and B.d., J.m., and A.m., Minors, Appellees

Summary

The Supreme Court of Arkansas affirmed the termination of Brandon Martin’s parental rights because DHS proved the subsequent-factors ground by clear and convincing evidence and termination was in the children’s best interest. Brandon’s continued relationship with the person responsible for the children’s injuries, failure to demonstrate that he could protect them, lack of a concrete care plan, and failure to recognize the seriousness of their injuries supported the decision. The court also held that DHS provided appropriate family services and that the alleged mistake concerning the prior abuse finding did not require reversal. Justice Wood, concurring, joined the judgment but criticized the failure to conduct required dependency-neglect hearings and enter orders within statutory time limits.