In re Adoption of Vance

The Department of Children and Families (department) filed this care and protection petition in March, 2014, and was granted temporary custody of the child, Vance. After a 2016 trial, a Juvenile Court judge found the mother and the father unfit and terminated their parental rights. The mother appealed.3 On appeal, the mother argues that she was deprived of her parental rights without due process of law, she was denied her right to counsel, and the judge erred in finding that she was unfit. We disagree and therefore affirm.

Background. Shortly after Vance's birth, the mother lost custody of him…