In the Matter of M.I., N.I., N.I., N.I., N.I., S.I. (Minor Children) Denis Koehlinger v. K. H. (Mother) A.I…

Summary

The Indiana Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s denial of the Department of Child Services’ petition to terminate the mother’s parental rights, holding that the department failed to clearly and convincingly show termination was in the children’s best interests, and that the mother’s lack of suitable housing alone does not satisfy the statutory burden. The Court also noted that the decision was supported by ample evidence of a strong mother‑child bond, the difficulty of finding adoptive homes, and the mother’s progress on her participation plan.