In re J.D.L.

STROUD, Judge.

Respondent’s parental rights to her minor child were terminated by order entered 26 September 2008 in Craven County District Court. Respondent challenges the order on procedural and on substantive grounds. We affirm.

I. Background

J.D.L. (hereinafter “Joey”)1 was bom 26 February 2005. On 24 May 2006, the Craven County Department of Social Services (hereinafter “Petitioner” or “DSS”) filed a petition alleging Joey was a neglected and dependent juvenile. The whereabouts of Joey’s father were unknown at the time and no summons was issued to the father. *184A summons was issued to Joey’s…