In Re Laney

McGEE, Judge.

Iredell County Department of Social Services (petitioner) filed juvenile petitions on 23 July 2001 regarding six-year-old Deonte Santnez Laney (Deonte) and ten-year-old Acoya Demagia Laney (Acoya), collectively referred to as “the children.” Petitioner assumed nonsecure custody of the children on the same day, and four subsequent nonsecure custody hearings were held. Pursuant to these hearings, the children remained in the custody of petitioner and resided with their maternal grandfather, Edsel Laney.

The children were adjudicated neglected in a hearing on 4 October 2001. An…