Wishinsky v. Dept. of Human Resources

This is a termination of parental rights case.

Following an ore tenus hearing, the trial court ordered the permanent termination of all parental rights of the mother and father of Blanche Viola Alfo, age fourteen months. Permanent legal custody of the child was vested in the Alabama Department of Human Resources (Department).

Only the mother appeals. We reverse and remand.

The right to maintain family integrity is a fundamental right which is protected by the due process requirements of the United States Constitution. In the Matter of Moore,470 So.2d 1269 (Ala.Civ.App. 1985). A parent thus has a…