In re of D.L.P.

TYSON, Judge.

*598Rhonda S. Price ("Respondent") appeals from adjudication and disposition orders finding her two sons to be neglected and dependent juveniles. We hold that once the trial court appointed Respondent a Rule 17 guardian ad litem ("GAL"), the hearings should not have proceeded without the GAL being present. The trial court's orders are vacated and the cases are remanded.

I. Background

The Rutherford County Department of Social Services ("DSS") filed the petitions in response to Respondent's report of an incident on 6 May 2014, where the father of both juveniles allegedly threatened to…