In re Nolan V-S.

Syllabus

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families appealed from two Family Court decrees denying its petition to terminate the parental rights of the respondent parents to their child, Nolan, pursuant to G.L. 1956 § 15-7-7(a)(3). DCYF alleged that the trial justice erred by concluding that DCYF had failed to make reasonable efforts to reunify the parents with the child, as required by § 15-7-7(a)(3). The Supreme Court held that the trial justice erred by concluding that DCYF had failed to make reasonable efforts, and further held that DCYF had established by clear and convincing evidence the statutory requirements of § 15 7 7(a)(3). <br><br>Accordingly, the Supreme Court vacated the decrees of the Family Court and remanded the case for further factfinding on the issue of the child's best interests.