Domestic Relations – Parent & Child – Termination of Parental Rights – Lack of Bond 

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The trial court’s challenged findings – that the respondent-father took no steps to foster a loving relationship with his daughter, “Jasmine,” and that there was no bond between Jasmine and respondent – were supported by the testimony of a DSS social worker (respondent had not fully complied with his court-ordered requirements to reunify with Jasmine; he had failed to maintain contact with the DSS worker regarding Jasmine’s well-being; when he did contact the social worker, he did not ask any questions about Jasmine; he has not visited nor contacted Jasmine since October 2019; Jasmine has no bond with respondent; and Jasmine doesn’t talk about him or bring him up at all) and Jasmine’s guardian ad litem (Jasmine didn’t have much contact with respondent before the case; she was mad that he got arrested again and put back in prison; and she feels like he hasn’t made an effort at all to be her father).

We affirm the termination of respondent’s parental rights.

In re J.T. (Lawyers Weekly No. 012-340-22, 9 pp.) (Jefferson Griffin, J.) Appealed from Forsyth County District Court (Theodore Kazakos, J.) Theresa Boucher for petitioner; Kimberly Connor Benton for respondent. 2022-NCCOA-538