David S. v. Alaska Ofc. of Children’s Svcs.

"David S." appealed the termination of his parental rights to his daughter Hannah, an Indian child. Hannah was taken into the custody of the Office of Children’s Services (OCS) while David was incarcerated. David remained in jail for the first 20 months of Hannah's life. David was released from prison and was on parole for five months, during which time he had regular visits with Hannah. David then became a fugitive for nine months, before being recaptured and reincarcerated. While David was a fugitive, OCS petitioned for termination of his parental rights, and two months after David was returned to prison, the superior court held a termination trial. The superior court found that Hannah was a child in need of aid due to David’s abandonment, incarceration, and substance abuse. The superior court also concluded that OCS had engaged in active efforts to help David’s rehabilitation, as required by the Indian Child Welfare Act, and that it was in Hannah’s best interests for David's parental rights to be terminated. David appealed, and the Supreme Court affirmed the superior court’s ruling because OCS established all requirements necessary for termination. View "David S. v. Alaska Ofc. of Children's Svcs." on Justia Law