Michael F. v. State ex rel. Department of Human Services

SUMMERS, Justice:

Three questions are presented on certio-rari in this Juvenile proceeding to terminate a father’s parental rights: (1) Did the father knowingly and voluntarily waive his right to a jury trial? (2) Was he afforded effective assistance of counsel? (3) Is the trial court’s order terminating his parental rights supported by the evidence and the law? We answer all three in the affirmative, and affirm the lower court.

Michael F., a divorced and single man, adopted two children from an orphanage in Brazil. The two little girls, ages five and six, are sisters. Shortly after the…