In Re Mason

We reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the circuit court’s order terminating the parental rights of Richard Mason, the respondent-father (respondent), to his two sons, J. and C. The circuit court committed several legal errors and the Department of Human Services (DHS) failed in its duties to engage respondent in the proceedings against him. First, the court and the DHS failed to facilitate respondent’s participation in the child protective action by telephone in light of his incarceration, as required by MCR 2.004. The DHS further abandoned its statutory duties to…