In the Matter of the Adoption of J.M.: J.P. and J.M. v. R.H. and R.H.

OPINION

BAKER, Judge.

In this case, appellants-natural parents Mother and Father (collectively, “the Natural Parents”) had a relationship that was plagued by substance abuse and domestic violence when JM was born in December 2009. The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) removed JM from the Natural Parents when she was only a few months old.

JM was placed in foster care. Eventually, the DCS filed a petition to terminate parental rights. While that petition was pending, JM’s foster parents (Foster Parents) filed a petition to adopt her. Several months later, JM’s paternal grandparents…