Judges in termination of parental rights cases must make sure their decisions are not clouded by considerations more appropriate for third-party child-custody disputes, such as the certainty of the youngster’s future with adoptive parents, Maryland’s top court has ruled.

When the Court of Special Appeals affirmed the Termination of Parental Rights order, it rendered the CINA appeal moot. (In re Karl H. distinguished).

Mr. B. thought he had defeated a bid to terminate his parental rights when the judge in the CINA case kept reunification as his children's permanency plan. But the Department filed a TPR action anyway, and prevailed.

Adoption/Guardianship: Termination of parental rights: Medical neglect CSA No. 2525, Sept. Term 2013. Unreported. Opinion by Arthur, J. Filed: July 11, 2014. Appeal from Baltimore City. Affirmed.

Adoption/Guardianship: Termination of parental rights: Medical neglect In Re: Adoption/Guardianship of Ta'Shamere G. CSA No. 2214, Sept. Term 2013. Unreported. Opinion by Moylan, Charles E., Jr. (Retired, Specially Assigned). Filed: July 11, 2014. Appeal from Baltimore City. Affirmed.

Adoption/Guardianship: Termination of parental rights: Alcohol dependency CSA No. 1470, Sept. Term 2013. Reported. Opinion by Woodward, J. Filed: June 30, 2014. Appeal from Howard County. Affirmed.

Adoption/Guardianship: Termination of parental rights: Incarcerated parent CSA No. 2385, Sept. Term 2012. Unreported. Opinion by Berger, J. Filed March 25, 2014. Appeal from Cecil County. Affirmed.

Adoption/guardianship: termination of parental rights: mandatory considerations CSA No. 2270, Sept. Term 2011. Unreported. Opinion by Kehoe, J. Filed June 22, 2012. Appeal from Prince George’s County. RecordFax #12-0625-00, 21 pages.