In Re M

This is a proceeding under Sections 211.441 to 211.511, RSMo (1959), V.A. M.S., in which the State sought to terminate the parental rights of the two defendants (now divorced) with reference to their five minor children ranging in age from 6 to 16 years at trial time. The trial court has entered a decree terminating the parental rights of both parents; the father alone has appealed, and we shall refer to him as the defendant. The cause is before us for review de novo, and, although we may not set aside the judgment unless it is clearly erroneous, it is our duty to make our own independent…