South Carolina Department of Social Services v. Ledford

HEARN, C.J.:

The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) brought this termination of parental rights (TPR) action against Carolina Ledford (Mother) and James Berlin (Father). The family court terminated the parental rights of both parties, and Father appeals.

FACTS

In 1993, the parties’ daughter, Leigha, was born. Three years later, Father was convicted of first-degree forgery and incarcerated in Georgia. Shortly thereafter, Father was paroled, and he received permission to work in South Carolina. At some point during 1998, that permission was revoked, and Father knew that if he…