South Carolina Dept. of Social Services v. Cochran

Chief Justice TOAL:

Kimberly Cochran (“mother”) appeals the family court’s decision to terminate her parental rights of her child, Tyler Dane Cochran (“child”).

Factual/Procedural Background

The Department of Social Services (“DSS”) temporarily removed child from the home of mother and Bobby Cochran (“father”) in August 1997 after discovering that father had physically abused the child. 1 Child was returned to mother (mother and father were separated at this time) subject to conditions that the family court judge set forth at a merits hearing. Both mother and father had to submit to drug…