In re J.M., N.M.

Summary

The Supreme Court of North Carolina reversed the Court of Appeals and upheld the trial court’s decision to remove reunification from the children’s permanent plan. The trial court’s findings, including the parents’ failure to acknowledge responsibility for the infant’s severe injuries and their inability to explain how the injuries occurred, were supported by competent evidence and supported the conclusion that further reunification efforts would be inconsistent with the children’s health and safety. The constitutional challenge was waived because the parents did not raise it before the trial court.