Matter of Whisnant

VAUGHN, Chief Judge.

This appeal arises from a petition filed by the Burke County Department of Social Services to terminate the parental rights of the mother and father of Thomas Tracy Whisnant. The Department of Social Services was not represented at trial.

The appellant in this case is the father of the child, who contends that it was reversible error for a different judge from the judge who presided at the hearing to sign the order terminating parental rights. We agree. The record shows that Judge Tate stated that although the evidence did not support a finding of neglect, there existed…