State ex rel. Department of Human Services v. D. F. W.

Mother and father separately appeal from a judgment terminating their parental rights to M. W., their daughter. On de novo review, ORS 419A.200(6)(b), we conclude that the Department of Human Services (DHS) has not proved the necessary statutory criteria by clear and convincing evidence as to either parent. See ORS 419.521(1) (establishing standard of proof). We therefore reverse as to both mother and father.

We state the facts as we find them on de novo review.1 Our fundamental finding is that both mother and father had serious problems at the time that DHS first obtained custody of M. W. and…