State v. Michael M.

McCUSKEY, Justice:

These are three consolidated child abuse and neglect cases which cause us to decide the important question of whether foster care or an adoptive home is the preferred permanent placement for a child who has been removed from his or her family following a termination of parental rights. In each case, the appellant, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (the “Department”), challenges a disposition order entered by the Circuit Court of Berkeley County. The Department contends that the circuit court abused its discretion by directing that the children involved…