State of Louisiana in the Interest of C.f.

Summary

The Supreme Court of Louisiana reversed the denial of DCFS's petition to terminate the father's parental rights and rendered judgment freeing C.F. for adoption. The court held that DCFS proved abandonment, substantial noncompliance with the case plan, and no reasonable expectation of significant improvement, and that termination was in C.F.'s best interest because the father could not provide a safe and stable home while the child was thriving in a prospective adoptive placement. Chief Justice Johnson concurred to emphasize permanency and child safety, while Justice Hughes dissented and would have deferred to the trial judge's assessment.