Matter of J.b., Yinc

Summary

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the order terminating Mother’s parental rights to J.B. and denying the Fort Belknap Indian Community’s motion to transfer the proceeding to tribal court. It held that the birth father’s written objection absolutely barred transfer, that Mother could not establish ineffective assistance where her own lack of engagement limited counsel’s advocacy, and that the evidence satisfied the statutory and ICWA requirements for termination. No separate opinions were filed.