In the Interest of N.A.C.

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Biles, J.:

This is an expedited appeal from a child in need of care (CINC) proceeding under the Revised Kansas Code for Care of Children (Revised Code), K.S.A. 2012 Supp. 38-2201 et seq. The lower courts reached different outcomes on the law and evidence. The threshold question—whether appellate jurisdiction exists to reach the merits of the case—presents a conflict within the caselaw as developed by the Court of Appeals. The answer has wide-ranging implications for future CINC proceedings. Because of that, we granted review even though we recognize our…