J.S.L. v. Jefferson County Department of Human Resources

The Jefferson Juvenile Court (“the juvenile court”) entered a judgment terminating the parental rights of J.S.L. (“the mother”) to J.Z.L. (“the child”). On appeal, the mother and the guardian ad litem for the child argue that the judgment is not supported by clear and convincing evidence of grounds for termination. I agree.

Alabama Code 1975, § 12-15-319, sets out the exclusive grounds for which parental rights may be terminated. J.B. v. De-Kalb Cnty. Dep’t of Human Res., 12 So.3d 100, 110 (Ala.Civ.App.2008) (plurality opinion). That statute provides that parental rights may be terminated only…