Supreme Court of North Carolina

In Re: A.j.l.h., C.a.l.w., M.j.l.h.

April 6, 2023

Summary

The Court held that the trial court's findings, supported by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence, adequately established that Margaret was abused and neglected and that her younger siblings faced a substantial risk of harm warranting neglect adjudications. It ruled that the Court of Appeals improperly vacated the adjudications based on its assessment that the trial court relied heavily on hearsay and improperly directed a particular visitation result. The case was remanded for the Court of Appeals to address the remaining challenges to the disposition order under the proper deferential standard.