Karen Joiner as Guardian Ad Litem for Robert Alex Rivas, Petitioner v. Delores Rivas and South Carolina Department…

Summary

The Supreme Court of South Carolina reversed the Court of Appeals and reinstated the family court's order terminating the mother's parental rights. It held that the child's existing guardian ad litem could petition for termination without appointment of an additional guardian ad litem, and that the Court of Appeals properly reached the issue for the first time because courts may act ex mero motu to protect minors. Justice Pleicones concurred in the result but cautioned that the statutory liberal-construction directive should apply to procedural matters and should not dilute the burden for proving substantive grounds for termination.