In re Rylee A.

Syllabus

The respondents appealed from a Family Court decree terminating their parental rights to their infant daughter, Rylee A. The Family Court justice found that DCYF proved by clear and convincing evidence that the respondents were unfit parents by reason of conduct or conditions seriously detrimental to the child, in that they committed, or allowed to be committed, conduct toward their child of a cruel and abusive nature. On appeal, the respondents argued that the Family Court justice erred in (1) admitting into evidence a medical report of the child and (2) concluding that DCYF had proven by clear and convincing evidence that the respondents were unfit parents. The Supreme Court concluded that the Family Court justice did not err in admitting the medical report into evidence because it qualified under the medical-diagnosis exception to the hearsay rule. The Supreme Court also concluded that the Family Court justice did not overlook or misconceive evidence, and that there was clear and convincing evidence to support the Family Court justice's determination that the respondents were unfit parents and that the termination of their parental rights was in the best interest of the child. Accordingly, the Supreme Court affirmed the Family Court decree terminating the respondents' parental rights to their daughter, Rylee.