In Re Rufus C.

Syllabus

This appeal concerns the termination of a mother's parental rights to her child. The Tennessee Department of Children's Services (\DCS\) filed a petition in the Juvenile Court for Wilson County (\the Juvenile Court\) seeking to terminate the parental rights of Christina C. (\Mother\) to her minor child Rufus C. (\the Child\). After a hearing, the Juvenile Court entered an order terminating Mother's parental rights. Mother appeals. We find, as did the Juvenile Court, that the grounds of severe child abuse and persistent conditions were proven against Mother by clear and convincing evidence. However, due to ambiguity in the Juvenile Court's order, we vacate the ground of abandonment by failure to provide a suitable home. We further find, also by clear and convincing evidence, that termination of Mother's parental rights is in the Child's best interest. We affirm the Juvenile Court's judgment, as modified, terminating Mother's parental rights to the Child.