Matter of Custody and Parental Rights of Fm

The natural parents of F.M., Jr., appeal from the order of the First Judicial District Court terminating their parental rights and awarding custody and care of F.M. to the Montana Department of Family Services. We affirm.

The issue raised by the parents on appeal is as follows:

Did the District Court abuse its discretion when it terminated the parental rights of the father, F.M.M., and the mother, K.N.M.?

F.M. was bom August 21, 1989. However, the involvement of the Montana Department of Family Services (Department) with F.M.’s family began shortly after they arrived in Montana in 1987. In 1987,…