In re DMK

Respondent, the biological father of the minor child involved, appeals as of right a circuit court order terminating his parental rights to the child pursuant to MCL 712A.19b(3)(c)(i) and (h). Because the Department of Human Services (DHS) refused to engage respondent in the child protective proceedings, the record remains entirely devoid of any evidence concerning respondent’s ability to care for his child in the near future, either personally or through placement with relatives. Consequently, “a ‘hole’ in the evidence” precluded termination of respondent’s parental rights. In re Rood, 483…