J.H. v. Department of Children & Families

We affirm the final judgment entered below. Our affirmance is without prejudice to the Department of Children and Families filing a new petition for termination of parental rights should J.H. be convicted and sentenced to prison on his pending felony charges. A significant prison sentence would not only potentially provide new legal grounds for termination,1 it would require the trial court to reexamine the issue of whether termination of parental rights is the least restrictive means to protect the child, A.H. The least restrictive meáns test is not intended to preserve a parental bond at…