Supreme Court of Delaware
Branch v. DFS and Court Appointed Special Advocate
January 9, 2017
Summary
The Supreme Court affirmed the termination of Andrew Branch's parental rights because clear and convincing evidence supported the Family Court's findings that he failed to plan adequately for his children's needs, that DFS made reasonable reunification efforts, and that termination was in the children's best interests. The Court rejected the only arguable appellate issue, which concerned whether DFS improperly delegated reunification services and failed to accommodate Branch's cognitive limitations. The Court found no abuse of discretion or legal error in the Family Court's decision.