R.A.C.P. v. State

The parents of D.S.P., an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, appeal the termination of their parental rights on grounds of abandonment.1 The child's mother, R.A.C.P. (R.P.), challenges an alleged failure to abide by the statu*112tory time restrictions governing TPR hearings; refusal in midtrial to appoint a guardian ad litem for her; presentation of evidence to the jury concerning the best interests of the child; rejection of the Indian Child Welfare Act's (ICWA) beyond-a-reasonable-doubt burden of proof for each of the fact-finding issues presented to the jury;…