In Re Diamond I.

ORDER

The respondent, Daniel Ilacqua (father), appeals from a Family Court decree terminating his parental rights to his son, Diamond, who was born on April 12, 1994. 1 After a prebriefing conference, a single justice of this Court ordered the parties to show cause why the issues raised in this appeal should not be summarily decided. Because the parties have not done so, we proceed to decide the appeal at this time.

Beginning in October of 1997, the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF or department) took legal custody, control and care of Diamond. Thereafter, the Family Court…