In re Maci S.

Syllabus

The respondent mother appealed from the judgment of the trial court ren- dered for the petitioner, the Commissioner of Children and Families, termi- nating her parental rights with respect to her minor child. She claimed, inter alia, that the court improperly determined that she was unable or unwilling to benefit from the reunification efforts of the Department of Children and Families. Held: The trial court properly concluded that the respondent mother was unable or unwilling to benefit from the department's reunification efforts, as the evidence adduced at trial was sufficient to support the court's finding by clear and convincing evidence as required by statute (§ 17a-112 (j)). Because this court concluded that the trial court properly found that the respondent mother was unable or unwilling to benefit from reunification services, this court declined to review the mother's claim regarding the trial court's alternative finding that the department made reasonable efforts to reunify. The trial court properly found by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent mother failed to achieve a sufficient degree of personal rehabili- tation within the meaning of § 17a-112 (j) (3) (B) (ii). The trial court properly determined that the termination of the respondent mother's parental rights was in the best interest of the child, as the court's finding was factually supported and legally sound and this court will not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court. Argued October 10—officially released December 19, 2024