In re D. S.

Ruffin, Judge.

A Pike County Juvenile Court found J. W. deprived and awarded temporary custody of him to the Department of Family and Children Services (“DFCS”).1 His mother appeals the order, and, for reasons that follow, we reverse.

A deprived child is one who is “without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health or morals.”2 3In determining whether a child is deprived, the court focuses on the needs of the child rather than parental fault.8 However, a finding that a…