Cooper v. SCDSS

Syllabus

Zachariah Scott Cooper, Amie Rochelle Lord Cooper, and Arlene Annett Palazzo are foster parents of three sibling children placed in their care by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS). The Coopers foster one of the children, and Palazzo fosters the other two children. DSS initiated removal actions in the family court. The Coopers and Palazzo (collectively, Foster Parents) filed private actions seeking termination of parental rights (TPR) and adoption of their respective foster children. This consolidated appeal stems from the family court's order denying several motions made by Foster Parents. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand this matter to the family court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.