K.B. v. Department of Children & Family Services & Guardian Ad Litem Program

SILBERMAN, Judge.

K.B. (the mother) appeals a final judgment terminating her parental rights as to her four children.1 We reverse because the judgment contains findings that are inconsistent with the oral findings made by the judge who conducted the trial concerning the mother’s parental rights and the judgment was improperly entered by a successor judge.

In January 2005, Judge Michael Hunter conducted a trial on the amended petition for termination of the mother’s parental rights. At the conclusion of the trial, Judge Hunter made various findings but stated that he would hold a final decision…