State Ex Rel. Juvenile Department v. Evjen

Mother appeals an order terminating her parental rights in her third child. ORS 419.523(3)(a). The issue presented is whether the court erred in denying mother’s motion for a continuance when she was hospitalized and unable to attend the proceeding because of her mental condition.

For the past 15 years, mother has suffered from a chronic bipolar affective (manic-depressive) disorder that is exacerbated by substance abuse and a personality disorder. Because of her mental illness, she experiences delusions that result in inappropriate behavior, frequent hospitalizations and an inability to live…