B.S. v. Department of Social & Health Services

— The Washington juvenile dependency statutory scheme permits termination of parental rights for deficiencies that are manifestations of chronic mental illness. B.S. and L.S. appeal the termination of their parental rights; both suffer from chronic mental illness. Their child H.S., now six years old, was removed from their home under an agreed order of dependency at the age of three months. The State sought termination when she was still in foster care after three and a half years. The court was persuaded that B.S. and L.S. unquestionably love H.S. But despite their best and sincerest efforts…