In Re Shawn B.

OPINION

The respondent-father, Thomas C. Johnson (respondent), appeals from a Family Court decree terminating his parental rights to two sons, Shawn and Brandon. 2 At the Family Court’s behest, the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) filed a petition to terminate parental rights (TPR petition) after the children’s legal guardians sought to adopt them. 3 After a trial justice granted DCYF’s petition, the respondent appealed to this Court.

This case came before the Supreme Court for oral argument on November 30, 2004, pursuant to an order directing the parties to appear and show…