In Re James O., Jr.

Summary

The court affirmed the termination of the respondent mother's parental rights, holding that the trial court did not improperly compare her parenting abilities with those of the therapeutic foster mother during the adjudicatory phase. The foster placement evidence was properly considered as evidence of the children's particular therapeutic and caregiving needs, against which the mother's rehabilitation had to be assessed. The court concluded that the trial court found the mother lacked the qualities necessary to meet those needs, rather than finding termination warranted because the foster mother was a better parent.