In Re Leonard

WELLS, Judge.

The sole issue before this Court is interpretation of the termination of parental rights jurisdictional statute, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-289.23 (Cum. Supp. 1983). The pertinent language follows:

The district court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction to hear and determine any petition relating to termination of parental rights to any child who resides in, is found in, or is in the legal or actual custody of a county department of social services or licensed child-placing agency in the district at the time of filing of the petition. . . .

Respondent contends that, since the…