In re: Adoption/G'ship of C.E.

We consider here whether allowing a child to remain indefinitely in the custody of a third party, without terminating the parental rights of both parents, constitutes a proper exercise of judicial discretion consistent with the relevant provisions of the Family Law Article. As will be explained, the law allows for such discretionary exercise so long as the decision is grounded in the statutory requirements, and supported by the record. In that regard, pursuit of the best interest of the child remains the overarching goal in proceedings involving the termination of parental rights ("TPR")…