Matter of Brake

MITCHELL, Chief Justice.

The question presented for review is whether the trial court had the authority to permit the Vance County Department of Social Services (hereinafter “DSS”) to cease efforts to reunite a juvenile with his parents as part of its order authorizing DSS to initiate an action to terminate parental rights. We conclude that the trial court had such authority and reverse the unpublished decision of the Court of Appeals which held to the contrary.

In an order filed 24 May 1994 in the District Court, Vance County, the minor child, Christopher Brake, who was then five years old,…