In Re Michelle W.

[¶ 1] The mother of Michelle W. appeals from the judgment of the District Court *284(Lewiston, Beliveau, J.) terminating her parental rights.1 The mother argues that the court erroneously considered the best interest of the child to be the controlling factor in the termination decision. She contends that a bifurcated termination hearing is required so that the trial court will not reach the issue of the best interest of the child until parental unfitness has been determined. Because we agree that the court erred and that the error is not harmless, we vacate the judgment.

I. PROCEEDINGS AND FINDINGS